Box Score HONOLULU, HI (December 17, 2014) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Basketball Team (6-2, 3-1) knocked off PacWest heavyweight Chaminade University (4-5, 1-2) 78-72 at McCabe Gym in the last PacWest game for 16 days.

HPU beat the defending PacWest Tournament Champion to earn local bragging rights, at least until the rematch in February. Despite the close score, HPU led for most of the game and dictated the action.

At the 13:55 mark of the first half, Rema Lascelles hit a three-pointer to give HPU the lead back. The Sharks held the lead for the rest of the half and gained some momentary separation late. Luke Hager put HPU up 10 at 30-20 with 6:27 to go, but Chaminade responded and cut the deficit to two with 3:01 to play. A 7-0 run punctuated by a two-hand jam from Hager gave HPU a 40-31 lead. CUH made a late three-pointer to make it a six-point HPU lead at the half.

Chaminade whittled the lead down, and by the 15:28 mark the home team regained the lead. Back-to-back layups from Justin Long gave HPU a 57-55 advantage with 10:58 to play; Chaminade never saw the lead again. HPU rebuilt its double-digit lead when John Horowitz buried a three-pointer with 7:21 to go. The Silverswords didn't go away and got to within one-point with 4:44 to play. The lead was two when Darry Jones Jr. dropped a dagger three with 1:30 left.

"This was the most complete game we played all year. We had three players in double-figures, but most importantly our team defensive effort was as strong as we've had," said Head Coach Darren Vorderbruegge.

Long called it a "great team win" as he posted a game-high 23 points. Jones Jr. was also tremendous, he connected on 7-9 shots, including 2-2 from deep for 19 points to go along with a game-best four assists. Hager scored 12 points and led everyone with 10 rebounds.

HPU next plays Montana State-Billings on Friday at 4:30 pm at the Neal Blaisdell Center.