Dec. 3, 2006: Women's Basketball Tallies First Victory
Samantha Saito
It wasn't an easy start in the inaugural season of Chaminade University women's basketball in 2006-07. The Silverswords lost their first three games by an average of 34 points, all on the road.
However their first home game proved memorable when they faced Hawai'i Pacific University on Dec. 3 at McCabe Gymnasium.
Down 35-31 at the half, the 'Swords scored nine of the first 11 points to open the second half, building as many as a 65-55 lead with 3:14 remaining. But the Sea Warriors (as they were known then) stormed with a 12-2 run to send the game into overtime.
But Chaminade managed to outscore HPU, 16-12, in the extra session to give them the 83-79 victory, the first win in program history.
Brittnee Fonnesbeck had 31 points – her second of 30 or more in four contests – and added 13 rebounds. Samantha Saito added 17 points, making 10 free throws, along with six assists in the win.
Simrin Cummins and Marian Murphy aided the 'Swords cause with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
The teams would meet three more times in the season, all Silverswords victories. Their win later in Feb. 22 would be the final time the 'Swords would be ahead of HPU on the scoreboard at the final horn. Since then, the Sharks have won 30 straight in the series.
