HONOLULU – The last time the Chaminade University women's basketball team was featured on a television broadcast, each of the current team members were barely in high school.
On Tuesday, the Silverswords got a chance to showcase their program on statewide TV against their longtime rivals. Unfortunately, the 'Swords were not able to capitalize on the opportunity, dropping a 62-45 decision to in-city rival Hawai'i Pacific University at The Shark Tank, the Pacific West Conference opener for both teams.
Alyssa Schuetze (Temecula, Calif./Great Oak) had 13 points and nine rebounds, both team highs, for the Silverswords, whose appearance on the Spectrum Sports broadcast was their first TV game since Feb. 8, 2011.
Selena Buttery (Brockway, Pa./Brockway) added eight points for Chaminade, which is still seeking its first win of the season in falling to 0-5 and 0-1 in the conference.
Julien Parado (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) chipped in with six points with
Ashley Holen (Watford City, N.D./Minot State University/Watford City HS) adding five.
HPU (2-3, 1-0 PacWest) was paced on the scoreboard by Kyra Tanabe who had 16 points along with six steals and four assists.
The 'Swords got off to a rough start, trailing 16-7 after the first quarter, a deficit that swelled to as many as 13 late in the second quarter. Buttery's first triple of the game started a half-finishing 9-0 run with she and Schuetze accounting for all their points during the stretch. The surge continued to begin the second half with a Dolny runner followed by another Buttery 3-ball and suddenly, Chaminade led 27-26, its first of the game.
The Sharks eventually regained the lead then pulled away in the fourth quarter to hand CUH its 10th defeat to HPU at the Shark Tank in as many meetings.
Chaminade shot 32.6 percent from the floor and was 15-of-24 at the foul line. They had 37 rebounds but committed 27 turnovers.
The Sharks were 34.9 percent from the field, made 6-of-27 from long distance and was 12-of-18 at the free throw line. HPU had 39 boards, 11 assists and 17 giveaways.
The Silverswords will face their other in-state rival on Saturday at the University of Hawai'i Hilo on the Big Island. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
