Box Score HONOLULU, HI (January 31, 2015) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Basketball Team (13-6, 8-5) nearly knocked off 14th ranked Azusa Pacific (18-3, 11-3) but ultimately lost 77-74 on Saturday afternoon at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
APU took the lead from the outset, but HPU battled and stayed close for most of the first half. Still, the nationally ranked Cougars led by double-figures by the 12:01 mark, the lead hovered around there until HPU made a late run. Down 34-23, HPU scored seven of the next nine points capped by a
Josh Morgan triple. However, APU's Will Ward scored on a put back in the last seconds of the half to make it 38-30.
The Cougars came out hot in the second half and built a 17-point lead (57-40) with 12:49 to play. The Sharks responded with a 16-3 run over the next five minutes. It was
Darry Jones Jr. who buried a three-pointer to make it a game again at 60-56 with 8:26 to go.
Justin Long connected from distance to make it a four-point game again with 2:56 left. Jones Jr. then followed that up with another long ball to draw HPU to within one point (71-70) with 1:54 to play. On the next possession, APU's Kevin Stafford matched Jones Jr.'s three to put the Cougar lead back at four.
After the teams traded free throw makes, Long got to the basket with five seconds left to make it a two-point game (76-74). HPU fouled with three seconds to go, APU's Troy Leaf made the first to make it 77-74. He missed the second;
John Horowitz grabbed the rebound, took a few dribbles and launched a three-quarter court shot that deflected off the front of the rim.
Luke Hager was again sensational with 19 points on just nine shots to go with eight rebounds. Jones Jr. totaled 16 points, including three three-point hits. Long had 15 points, 12 of which came in the second half, along with his game-high four assists.
Clayton Guy had maybe his best day as a Shark with 10 points, on 4-4 shooting, and a game-high nine rebounds.
HPU returns to action on Monday when #16 Cal Baptist visits the Blaisdell Center at 6:30 pm.
