HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team concluded their 2025-26 home slate Thursday against in-state rival University of Hawai'i Hilo.
Although injuries have ravaged both teams which has reduced their respective rosters to just nine (CUH) and eight (Hilo), it was a nail biter that nearly came down to the wire, where the Silverswords came within seconds of their first win but ultimately fell, 63-59, at McCabe Gymnasium.
Alyssa Schuetze (Temecula, Calif./Great Oak) returned from a one-game absence after missing Tuesday's game against Azusa Pacific because of an illness to post a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds.
After 70 career games without hitting double-digit points,
Selena Buttery (Brockway, Pa./Brockway), one of four Silverswords in their final home game, posted her second straight game of double figures with 10 points, pulling down five rebounds.
Kylie Squier (Branchville, N.J./Pope John XXIII Regional) chipped in with seven points and three assists while
Maddy Weaver (Puyallup, Wash./Puyallup) cleaned the glass with eight boards and
Julien Parado (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) dishing out four assists.
Redshirt senior
Ashley Holen (Watford City, N.D./Minot State University/Watford City HS) had three points, two boards and a pair of assists in her final home game.
Dezaray Carter (Honolulu/Sacred Hearts Academy), injured for much of the season and unable to play, was the third senior celebrated. Also honored after the game was junior guard
Libby Hein (Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison), who like Carter was lost for the season due to injury, is graduating in three years and has elected not to play a fourth year of athletic eligibility.
Kaile Cruz led UH Hilo (7-19, 5-16 Pacific West Conference) with 16 points.
Chaminade's defense held the Vulcans to just 3-of-16 from the floor in the first 10 minutes and owned a 30-27 halftime lead.
But UH Hilo outscored the 'Swords, 20-11, in the third quarter, thanks to being put on the free throw line, where they made 6-of-8 shots while making four 3-pointers. In the same stretch, CUH went to the line only twice and had just one trey which allowed Hilo to claim a 47-41 lead heading into the final period.
Chaminade did not allow UH Hilo to pull away in the fourth then with 46 seconds left, Parado's triple got them to within 60-59. After a Vulcans' free throw, the 'Swords had a chance to tie or take the lead on a 3 with 16 seconds left but a turnover resulted in UH Hilo to hit the clinching free throws.
The 'Swords finished with a 35.4 field goal percentage with eight 3-pointers. They outrebounded the Vulcans, 39-to-35, dished out 17 assists, their second-highest of the season, and committed 13 turnovers, tying the lowest of the season.
UH Hilo made good on just under 31 percent from the floor, making seven triples and was 24-of-29 at the charity stripe. They had 12 assists and 13 giveaways.
The Silverswords (0-23, 0-19 PacWest) will be in the Bay Area next week for their final three games of the season, starting Tuesday at Menlo College. Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. Hawai'i time.
