Box Score HONOLULU, HI (January 8, 2014) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Basketball Team (10-2, 5-1) shot the ball at a blistering pace in the second half and used a historic performance from Justin Long to defeat visiting Point Loma (9-5, 4-3) 79-74 at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Wednesday night.  

Long was unconscious at the charity stripe, converting all 14 attempts. It is the best night for a Sea Warrior at the foul line since Darryl Houston went 13-13 on December 21, 1985, six years prior to Long's birth. As has become commonplace this season, Long's foul shooting helped close out the game as he buried four free throws in the final 1:04.

After a subpar shooting performance in the first half, the Sea Warriors emerged from the locker room on a mission. HPU connected on a video game-like 13 of 20 (65%) shots in the second half.

Still, despite the strong shooting, the game hung in the balance late in the contest. With 38 seconds to play, HPU led 77-74 and had the basketball. While HPU was trying to milk the clock as much as possible, the ball was stolen by PLNU's Mike Planeta. Diving on the floor with four seconds left, Planeta called timeout. Trouble was, the Sea Lions were out of timeouts. A technical foul was assessed and Long calmly iced the game.

The first half will probably not make the season highlight tape for either squad. HPU did not take its first lead until the 12:33 mark and it only lasted 68 seconds. PLNU eventually stretched the lead to 10 points with just under 10 minutes to play, but HPU responded. With 2:38 to go in the first half, HPU retook the lead on a foul shot by Leif Rodney. HPU did not trail again for the rest of the game.

HPU shot a meager 8-26 (30.8%) in the opening half, but foul shooting (13-14, 92.9%) and defense kept the game close. The Sea Lions were also held to a pedestrian 9-27 (33.3%) from the floor.

"I was pleased that we came out better in the second half. I thought we were a bit flat in the first half and there is no excuse for that. We cannot afford to not be completely locked in for every game," said Head Coach Darren Vorderbruegge.    

The Sea Warriors briefly held a double-digit lead halfway through the second half, but most of the half consisted of HPU leading by two possessions.

Long finished with 19 points as Darry Jones Jr. (13), Rodney (13), Malte Ziegenhagen (12) and Farbod Farman (10) all had double-figure scoring nights. Farman, the reigning PacWest Defensive Player of the Week, added 11 rebounds and two blocks.

HPU returns to action on Saturday against Chaminade at Moanalua High School at 6:30 p.m.