LAIE, HI (January 2, 2015) – The Hawai'i Pacific University Men's Basketball Team fell to Oahu rival and regional powerhouse BYU–Hawai'i in a close 83-78 battle on the North Shore.

HPU (8-3, 3-2) kept within striking distance the entire game and led in the second half. BYU–H though proved too much for the Sharks and improved to 9-1, 3-1 with the home win.

The home team jumped out to a 10 point lead just four minutes into the game and from the get go looked to prove a point. But the Sharks rallied and managed to tie the game with nine minutes left in the first half. The two teams continued to trade blows until halftime where BYU-H managed to hold a two-point advantage.

The second half was just as back and forth as the end of the first, as both teams fought hard to try and take control of the game. In the end, the second half alone saw the lead change hands five times with four ties. HPU earned its largest lead of the game in the second half, when it led by six with 10:42 left in the game.

It was short lived, however, as BYU-H reclaimed the lead just a minute later. A clutch three pointer by John Horowitz gave HPU a two-point lead with 1:30 left, but that was the last time HPU would lead the game. BYU-H showed why they are nationally ranked with a seven-point run and secure the victory over the Sharks.

Justin Long had a team high 16 points in 30 minutes and was a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe, as well as leading the team with three assists.

Horowitz had a phenomenal game off of the bench as he scored 14 points in just 14 minutes and was 4-5 from the field shooting. Horowitz was a workhouse on the boards as well, pulling down five rebounds good for second on the team.

The Sharks' next game is Monday (January 5) against Point Loma at the Neil Blaisdell Center with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.