IRVINE, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University saw an early first half lead erased on a 10-0 run as Concordia Irvine as CUI beat HPU 92-67 in PacWest Conference action on Monday night at CU Arena.
 
The Sharks (7-17, 4-15) had lost for the second time on the final road trip of the season, while the second place Eagles (20-8, 16-3) remained a game out of first as they won their fourth straight.
 
HPU was led by junior Ronald Blain of McDonough, Ga./Union Grove who scored 12 points with three rebounds. The Sharks collected 10 points apiece by senior Darnell Bettis of Los Angeles/University, junior Daniel Melifonwu of San Diego/Lincoln, sophomore Lorenze Gordon-Haynes of Columbus, Ohio/Africentric and sophomore Tavon Tarpley of McLean, Va./Langley. Melifonwu grabbed seven rebounds.
 
CUI was paced by Brian Chambers with 21 points and eight rebounds, with Cameron English posting 15 points with five boards and two blocks. Jamel White and Kyle Gray both added 11 points each.
 
The Sharks 47 percent from the floor (29-of-62), but only 3-of-20 (15 percent) from the 3-point arc. HPU made 6-of-8 (75 percent) from the foul line. The Eagles shot 56 percent (37-of-66) from the field, including 10-of-26 (39 percent) from the arc and 8-of-9 (89 percent) from the charity stripe. The Sharks outrebounded Concordia Irvine 37-28, but suffered 25 turnovers to the Eagles 14.
 
The Sharks got off to a quick lead on a 3-point field goal from Blain on the first shot of the game. The Eagles matched with a trey and the game tied three times before HPU went up 10-8 with 16:26 remaining on a Bettis jumper. But that would be HPU's last lead. Robert Taylor hit two free throws to tie the game at 10, then after a timeout and a turnover Kayle Knuckles buried a 3-pointer for the lead as the Eagles used a 10-0 run to grab an advantage they wouldn't give away. CUI added a 19-6 run to go into the half with a 50-26 lead.
 
HPU never cut the lead to 19-points once in the second half, but the Eagles kept a 20-plus lead for most of the final 20 minutes.
 
The Sharks play their third southern California game on Thursday when they visit PacWest Conference leader Point Loma in San Diego. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. HST (7:30 PST) at Golden Gym.