Honolulu, HI (12/10/10) – In the game for third place at the Hawai'i Challenge, the HPU men's basketball team lost an overtime struggle to UH-Hilo, 79-78. The game was played at McCabe Gym on the campus of Chaminade University. HPU falls to 3-5 while the Vulcans improve to 4-2.
Nick Frazier led the Sea Warriors with 20 points, and LaBrent Chappell added 13 points including a game-tying three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Jason Jackson scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, and Kyle Allen added eight points and 13 rebounds.
Dirk Snel scored a game-high 22 points for UH-Hilo.
HPU shot 50% from the field in the first half (16-32) but made its living at the line in the second period. They went to the free throw line 18 times in the second half, converting on 12 of the attempts.
With 8:30 remaining in the game, HPU grabbed a 55-49 lead, the largest for either team. The Vulcans responded with a 7-0 run on a three-pointer by Snel and baskets by Tim Austin (8 pts) and Zache Wilde (15 pts).
UH-Hilo led 77-73 late in the overtime period before Frazier's three-pointer brought the Sea Warriors to within one point, but it proved not to be enough as HPU dropped its first overtime contest of the season. Kameron Steinhoff added 13 points in the losing effort.
HPU retakes the court tomorrow, December 11, versus the University of Hawai'i. Tipoff at the Stan Sheriff Center is set for 7:00 p.m.
