HONOLULU – The first meeting this season between the Chaminade University and University of Alaska Fairbanks men's basketball last Friday was settled in overtime.
In Monday's rematch, an extra period was not necessary but it did nearly come down to the wire again.
Kris King (Washington, D.C./Vincennes University/Fork Union Military Academy) poured in 27 points and grabbed six steals in the Silverswords' 91-84 win over the Nanooks at McCabe Gymnasium, giving them a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2018-19 season and first against non-Division I opponents since 2019-20.
Jackson Last (Hurricane, Utah/Robert Morris University/Hurricane HS), who earlier in the day was named the first Pacific West Conference Player of the Week, added 18 points and five rebounds while
Jamir Thomas (Berkeley, Calif./City College of San Francisco/Berkeley HS) had 17 points.
Kameron Ng (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Univ. of Hawai'i Hilo/Saint Francis HS) added another 14 points with six boards and four assists.
Isaiah Saams-Hoy had 28 points for Alaska (0-3).
UAF's biggest lead was 28-18 before the 'Swords went on an 18-2 run during a near five-minute span before the end of the half, putting them up 36-30 with 3:55 left. Last accounted for six points while King had another five. Ng's offensive rebound and short jumper on a missed triple as time expired gave CUH a 45-41 halftime lead.
The second half proved to be thrilling for fans and excruciating for the teams themselves. Although Chaminade held as many as a seven-point edge heading down the stretch, Alaska twice brought it down to a single point, the final time at 83-82 with 2:41 remaining. Last would hit a 3 then King drove in for a layup after UAF scores and Thomas hit three from the charity stripe to make it a three-possession game.
Chaminade made 41.3 percent of its shots, attempting 40 3-pointers with 10 makes, had 16 assists, 34 boards and eight turnovers. Alaska shot 54 percent from the floor, making eight triples with 49 rebounds and 13 assists. The 'Swords also forced 24 turnovers.
The Silverswords will get eight days off and return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against Northwest Indian College at McCabe Gym, part of a doubleheader with the 'Swords' women's team which starts at 5:30 p.m. Tipoff for the men's contest is 7:30 p.m. or 25 minutes after the conclusion of the ladies' game.
