HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team was locked in a defensive struggle against the University of Alaska Anchorage on Sunday.
However, a huge run by the Silverswords in the final seven minutes carried them to a 62-47 win in the finale of the PacWest/GNAC Challenge at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Center.
Zach McIntire (Delaware, Ohio/Mercyhurst University/Delaware Hayes HS) scored 10 of his team-high 14 points during their game-ending 17-2 surge in the final seven minutes.
Isaac Amaral-Artharee (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) added 13 points on-route as the tournament's Most Valuable Player while
Paris Taylor (Bolivar, Tenn./University of Green Bay/Central HS) contributed with 12, hitting 6-of-7 shots from the floor.
Kevin Kremer (Chico, Calif./University of Utah/Pleasant Valley HS) was named to the all-tournament team after providing eight points and six rebounds off the bench.
Chaminade improved to 2-0 on the year. The 'Swords have also won eight straight in the Challenge dating back to 2016.
Tobin Karlberg had a game-high 19 points for the Seawolves who fell to 1-1 on the year.
The 47 points is the fewest scored by a 'Swords' opponent since Chaminade surrendered 42 to Viterbo on Dec. 31, 2015. Conversely, their 62 is the fewest in a win since 64 against Notre Dame de Namur in December 2016.
Chaminade led 26-18 at the half as offenses struggled to maintain consistency.
With just under 7 minutes remaining and the Silverswords and Seawolves deadlocked at 45, McIntire and
Sawyer Storms (Idaho Falls, Idaho/College of Southern Idaho/Idaho Falls HS) both hit two free throws. Kremer followed with a layup then by 3-pointers by McIntire in consecutive possessions where all part of a 17-0 run which put the game away.
The Seawolves finally ended their drought with a Karlburg layup with 34 seconds left with the game's outcome well decided.
Chaminade shot 39.3 percent from the field while Alaska Anchorage made just 30.6. The 'Swords had 43 boards to UAA's 35. Both teams struggled from long distance with Chaminade making just 4-of-23 while the Seawolves made just 7 of their 34 attempts beyond the arc.
The low-scoring game was unusual for the usually high-octane Silverswords. However it was unusual circumstances caused by late-morning weather. With rain leaking from the ceiling of McCabe Gymnasium, it prompted both Challenge games to be moved next door to Saint Louis School's new Ching Athletics Center. The start was delayed by 30 minutes as operations crews moved equipment from McCabe.
In the first game, HPU's Jackson Young got a putback with 0.4 seconds left to lift the Sharks (1-1) to a 65-63 win over Alaska (0-2).
The Silverswords will get a day of rest then return Tuesday to face Lincoln University out of Oakland, Calif., at 5:30 p.m. followed by a rematch Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Both games are at McCabe Gym. Lincoln's head coach is Gary Payton, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
PacWest/GNAC Challenge All-Tournament Team
Quin Bernard, Alaska
Rodney Hounshell, Hawai'i Pacific
David Rowlands, Alaska Anchorage
Tobin Karlberg, Alaska Anchorage
Kevin Kremer, Chaminade
Issac Amaral-Artharee, Chaminade – Most Valuable Player
