HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team has experienced several rocky performances in the past three weeks that led them to being atop the Pacific West Conference to being in survival mode.
In Tuesday's penultimate home game of the season, the Silverswords continued riding the momentum of last Saturday's 18-point come-from-behind win against Jessup University to defeat Azusa Pacific, 87-72 at McCabe Gymnasium.
Five 'Swords cracked the double-digit scoring mark, led by
Nathan Medina (Long Beach, Calif./Biola University/Valley Christian HS), who made seven field goals including four 3-pointers for a game-high 26 points, his third-highest output of the season. It was also his most since pouring in 30 against the University of Texas at the Southwest Maui Invitational on Nov. 25.
The victory improved the Silverswords to 12-12 overall. More importantly, they are also 10-8 in the Pacific West Conference, moving them into a tie with Dominican for the sixth and final spot in the upcoming PacWest Championships in San Diego in two weeks.
And despite their recent struggles, they are also just a half-game behind Hawai'i Pacific, Concordia and Fresno Pacific, for the No. 3 spot. All three sport 11-8 conference records.
Kris King (Washington, D.C./Vincennes University/Fork Union Military Academy) added 14 points as did
Brandon Haddock (Southlake, Texas/University of Utah/Carroll HS) whose production was key off the bench.
Kent King (Washington, D.C./Vincennes University/Fork Union Military Academy), who along with his twin brother who were honored prior to tipoff for both reaching the 1,000-point career milestone at both Chaminade and their previous school at Vincennes University, posted 11 points, a career-high 14 rebounds and a team-best four assists.
Fletcher MacDonald (Wollongong, Australia/Lubbock Christian Univ./Newington College HS) added 11 points and eight boards.
DM Sanders had 23 points for the Cougars (6-17, 4-14 PacWest) in what is likely the final meeting between the two programs. APU is moving to NCAA Division III this summer.
CUH trailed for the first 35 seconds until MacDonald buried a corner 3-pointer, his sixth career triple, giving them a 3-2 lead, which they would not relinquish.
Chaminade's biggest edge in the first half was 29-15 but APU would hang around and closed to within seven with 2:22 left in the half.
The 'Swords were not able to pull away for much of the second half with the Cougars being as close as seven on several occasions in the waning minutes. With 2:57 remaining and Chaminade up 79-72,
Roland Banks II (Bakersfield, Calif./Fullerton College/Cathedral HS) hit a foul-line jumper followed by MacDonald's short jumper in the lane a minute later that finally allowed the 'Swords to deliver the knockout blow.
The 'Swords made 41.7 percent of their shots including 10 triples while they were 17-of-22 from the free throw line. They outrebounded the Cougars, 45-to-42, dished out 15 assists with nine turnovers.
The Cougars were just under 37 percent from the floor with 10 3s and 12 free throws with 15 assists and 16 turnovers which Chaminade turned into 16 points.
The Silverswords will have their final home game on Thursday when they host the University of Hawai'i Hilo at McCabe Gym with tipoff at 7:30 p.m.
Eight seniors – the King twins, Banks, Haddock, MacDonald, Medina,
Brycen Shackelford (Folsom, Calif./Folsom) and
Mykiah Wyche (San Jose, Calif./Foothill College/Piedmont Hills HS) – will be honored after the game.
