HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team ran into a red-hot Hawai'i Pacific University squad on Tuesday, the first of four meetings over the next eight days.
The Silverswords were overwhelmed by the veteran-laded and experienced Sharks in their 98-38 loss at The Shark Tank in Manoa Valley.
The loss dropped the 'Swords to 0-3 on the year.
Emma Morris (Tuscon, Ariz./Tanque Verde) led Chaminade with 12 points followed by
Jordyn Zader (Mukwonago, Wis./Pius XI) with 11.
HPU (6-0), ranked No. 8 in the WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the D2SIDA Media Poll, extended its winning streak to 31 straight, the longest active streak in the nation. Pacific West Conference Player of the Week Olivia West had a game-high 25 points while Avery Cargill added 21 and Ally Bates 20. All-American Amy Baum had 10 points and tied a Chaminade opponent record with 12 assists. She also pulled down six rebounds with Marcucci getting 11.
The Sharks, who rallied from an 18-point second-quarter deficit Sunday against the University of Hawai'i Hilo, picked up where they left off. The 'Swords missed their first nine shots of the game before
Sasha Phillip (Punalu'u, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Baptist) got them on the board with a layup with 2:27 left in the first quarter.
By then, HPU was up, 15-2, en-route to a 25-4 lead in the first quarter. Baum, a triple-double threat each time she steps on the floor, had six points, three rebounds and five assists through the first 10 minutes.
The Sharks did not let up in the second quarter, grabbing a 48-13 halftime edge.
Chaminade put together their first run of the game in the opening stages of the second half.
Emily Laham (Potwin, Kan./Maize) and Zader had consecutive baskets to start while Morris later tacked on a four-point play. But wasn't nearly enough against the HPU juggernaut.
The 'Swords were 12-of-54 from the field while Morris had three of the team's four 3-pointers. Zader, Morris,
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) and
Michaella Dean (Irvine, Calif./Orange Lutheran) each pulled down three rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Sharks went 35-of-67 from the field with 27 assists. HPU also drilled 18 3-pointers, a CUH opponent record, and controlled the glass, 49-25. Since trailing UH Hilo, 47-31, at halftime in their previous game, the Sharks have outscored the opposition 130-55 since.
The Silverswords will get another opportunity at the Sharks on Friday at McCabe Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.
