HONOLULU – At some point, one would think these close game decisions endured by the Chaminade University men's basketball team would turn in their favor.
Monday was not one of those evenings.
In a game that saw many twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and highs and lows, thanks to 15 ties and 19 lead changes with the game's biggest lead at six, the Silverswords suffered one of their most agonizing defeats of the season, dropping a 78-75 overtime decision to Dominican University of California at McCabe Gymnasium.
Ross Reeves (Orem, Utah/Snow College/Orem HS) hit for a season-high 30 points, tying his career-high-with seven 3-pointers for the Silverswords, who dropped yet another close contest. They are 0-5 this season in games decided by five points or less, 2-11 in such contests dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season. Reeves also had six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
More importantly, the 'Swords fell to 6-13 on the year and 2-9 in the Pacific West Conference, their worst 11-game conference start since the 1995-96 team finished the conference season with a 2-10 PacWest record. The loss also snapped a streak of nine straight wins over the Penguins at McCabe Gym, which was previously the longest active streak against any current PacWest foe.
Isaac Amaral-Artharee (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) added 14 points, seven boards and four assists for the 'Swords with
Jamir Thomas (Berkeley, Calif./City College of San Francisco/Berkeley HS) chipping in 12 and
Scott Ator (Murphy, Texas/College of the Sequoias/Wylie HS) 10 points and a team-best nine rebounds.
Marcus McCutcheon had 21 points and 12 boards for Dominican, which salvaged a win on the Hawai'i trip after losses at Hawai'i Hilo and Hawai'i Pacific, in helping them improve to 6-11 and 3-6 in the PacWest, despite having just eight active players on their roster.
The Penguins held the game's largest lead of 60-54 midway through the second half before the 'Swords finally knotted the game at 70 on two Amaral-Arthraee free throws with 1:23 left. DUC had three chances for the go-ahead score inside a minute but missed all three shots including a layup at the buzzer. The 'Swords also had chances to take the lead at the end of regulation but never got a shot off due to two turnovers.
In the extra session, Dominican took a pair of four-point leads including at 76-72 at the 2:35 mark. Reeves made a layup then sank a free throw to pull the 'Swords to within 76-75 with 1:22 left. Chaminade had a chance for the go-ahead score with 21 seconds remaining but couldn't get the shot to drop and DUC made two free throws on the other end to extend its lead to three.
The Silverswords had one final chance to send the game into a second overtime but the tying triple was off the mark and the 'Swords were unable to get off another shot as time expired, dropping them to 0-3 in games this season decided on the final possession.
Chaminade shot 33.3 percent in the game and made 11 triples. After sizzling from the 3-point arc in the first half with eight 3-pointers, the 'Swords made just three in the final 25 minutes. They also were 12-of-14 at the free throw line with 43 rebounds, 15 assists and nine turnovers.
Dominican shot 45 percent from the floor and made eight 3-pointers and, despite being the second-worst free throw shooting team in the PacWest at 66.9 percent entering Monday, tied a season-high with an 84.2 percentage, making 16-of-19. The Penguins pulled in 43 rebounds with 16 assists and 16 turnovers.
The Silverswords will look to get back on track Thursday when they host intercity rival HPU at McCabe Gym. Tipoff is set around 7:30 p.m. and will count towards the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge standings.
