Laie, HI (November 17, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific men's basketball team (0-2) got a double-double from Marko Cukic but it would not be enough as Central Washington (3-1) won 88-81 in the GNAC/PacWest Challenge.

The Sea Warriors outplayed CWU in most statistical categories. HPU hit 52% (29-56) of its shots from the floor as opposed to 46% (36-56) for CWU, the Sea Warriors also owned the advantage in three-point shooting (8-16 (50%) to 5-12 (42%). The HPU bigs won the battle on the boards, (35-31) and the guards out assisted the competition (20-9).

The difference was turnovers and foul shooting. HPU committed 20 turnovers while only forcing nine. While both teams shot nearly the same percentage from the foul line, CWU had more than twice as many attempts. HPU made 15-20 while CWU hit 31-41.

HPU led for much of the first half, including 21-14 with 10:52 left to play. The first half would see four ties, including 40-40 at the break.  The game would be tied four more times in the second half, for the last time at 62 with 9:57 to play. With 6:20 to play, a layup from Malte Ziegenhagen pulled HPU to within two, but the subsequent 9-0 run by CWU won the game.

Ziegenhagen had 14 points as did Jeffery Neal, who also added seven rebounds. Cukic had a big night with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Jelany White and Kawika Lyons each had 11 points.

HPU will open the home portion of the schedule on Saturday at 5 PM against Carleton College at Moanalua High School.  


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