HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team on Tuesday played their second-to-last home contest of the season.
Their opponent, Azusa Pacific, a traditional Pacific West Conference and West Region power, has historically posted big numbers on the scoreboard against the Silverswords.
But in what will likely be the final meeting between the two programs, the 'Swords held the Cougars, who will be joining NCAA Division III this summer, to a 66-45 decision at McCabe Gymnasium, their second-lowest scoring output in the series. APU's fewest points in the 21-game history is 59 in January 2025.
Senior guard
Selena Buttery (Brockway, Pa./Brockway), playing in her penultimate home game, knocked down three 3-pointers to post 11 points, her first career double-digit scoring game. Buttery, whose busy week included Sunday and Monday matches as a member of the Chaminade women's tennis team, also pulled down seven rebounds.
Kylie Squier (Branchville, N.J./Pope John XXIII Regional) tacked on 10 points and six boards while
Maddy Weaver (Puyallup, Wash./Puyallup) had nine rebounds with six points.
Julien Parado (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell), the 'Swords' assist leader, dished out three helpers.
Ashley Holen (Watford City, N.D./Minot State University/Watford City HS) also had six points.
Elyse Mitchell led the Cougars (18-7, 14-4 PacWest) with 13 points.
Although the 'Swords couldn't find a rhythm in the first quarter with just two points, they created six Cougars turnovers and trailed by just 12 at the end of one. In the second quarter, CUH had seven offensive rebounds and found themselves down just 27-12 at halftime.
Chaminade managed to hang around in the second half and did not allow Azusa Pacific to pull away. They were outscored by just six in the third quarter and matched APU's 17 fourth-quarter points.
The 'Swords shot 24.2 percent from the floor with five triples and was 10-of-16 at the foul line. Most impressive of all, they out-rebounded the Cougars, 44-to-33, including a whopping 21-to-6 mismatch in offensive boards.
APU was just a shade under 52 percent in the field with four 3-pointers but was just 8-of-19 at the free throw line. The Cougars had 16 assists but 17 giveaways.
The Silverswords will be at McCabe Gym for the final time this season on Thursday against in-state rival University of Hawai'i Hilo which is also a PacWest Hawai'i Challenge game.
Three seniors will be honored after the game including Buttery, Holen and
Dezaray Carter (Honolulu/Sacred Hearts Academy). Also being honored is junior guard
Libby Hein (Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison), who will forgo her final year of athletic eligibility to concentrate on her degree next season.
Tipoff has been moved up from the original time by 30 minutes and will be at 5 p.m.
