Box Score HONOLULU, HI (December 14, 2013) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Basketball Team (4-2, 2-1) got the proverbial monkey off its back with a 79-69 win against BYU-Hawaii (3-4, 2-1)on Saturday at Moanalua High School. It is the first time HPU has beaten BYU-H since the 2005-2006 season, snapping a streak of 18 consecutive losses.

Although HPU ended up with a double-figure win, it was far from easy. Over the first 2:13, the visitors raced out to a 7-0 lead leading many Sea Warrior fans to think "here we go again." However, this Sea Warrior team was different. By the 9:50 point of the first half, HPU came all the way back to tie the game at 16 on a three-pointer from Rema Lascelles. On the very next possession, Lascelles converted a three-point play the old fashion way to give HPU its first lead.   

The Sea Warriors kept up the intensity for the remainder of the half, building a nine-point advantage three separate times, including as the half ended.

By the 15:49 mark of the second half, Malte Ziegenhagen drilled a three-pointer to give HPU a 10 point advantage at 45-35. The Seasiders then countered with a 7-0 run to make it a close game with 14:26 to play. HPU weathered the storm and a few minutes later reestablished a 10-point lead at 56-46, courtesy of a Leif Rodney basket.

Hot shooting from distance from the guys on the North Shore kept it a close game. By the 7:02 mark, the game was tied. Back and forth the teams went, with three more ties over the next few minutes, including at 67-67 with 3:29 to play.

It was again Ziegenhagen from deep that broke the final tie of the game. From there, it was all about the foul shooting. HPU converted 9-9 attempts from the line, including 6-6 from Justin Long, and got stops on the defensive end to earn the win.

"This was a hard fought game between two good teams. I felt our guys responded to the second half run BYU-H made and kept it together and stayed positive. This should be a game we can build on," said Head Coach Darren Vorderbruegge.

Ziegenhagen played arguably the best game in his HPU career with 21 points (including five three-pointers) and five assists. Long was also fabulous with 19 points and seven rebounds. Lascelles provided some pop off the bench with 11 points.
 
Big man Farbod Farman had a game-high nine rebounds to go with eight points.

HPU will next host the HPU Classic on December 20th and 22nd at historic Bloch Arena. HPU will battle Menlo College first at 5:30 p.m. and then St. Katherine College at 2:00 p.m.