IRVINE, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University forward Daniel Melifonwu has been selected the PacWest Conference Men's Basketball Defender of the Week for his performance this week.
 
Melifonwu, a 6-10 junior from San Diego/Lincoln, led the defense as the Sharks won back-to-back games for the first time since November in going 2-1 with wins over Dominican (Calif.) and Academy of Art and a loss to then No. 18 Chaminade.
 
Melifonwu averaged 2.7 blocks and 5.3 rebounds for the week while scoring 4.0 points and shooting 55.6 percent from the floor. Melifonwu posted four blocks and seven rebounds in the Sharks 64-57 win over Dominican and recorded three blocks and six rebounds in the loss to Chaminade.
 
Joining Melifonwu with the PacWest weekly awards are two from Point Loma as Daulton Hommes was named Player of the Week and Kaden Anderson Freshman of the Week.
 
The Sharks start a four-game Southern California road trip on Saturday when they visit Azusa Pacific. The game will be nationally webcast as part of the NCAA Division II Showcase on ESPN3.com. Tipoff at the Felix Event Center is at 5:30 p.m. HST (7:30 PST).