HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University closed out the first semester season in the 2021 Hoops In Hawai'i Holiday Classic with a 78-51 loss to 11th ranked Embry-Riddle (Fla.) at The Shark Tank.
 
The Sharks (3-6) and No. 11 Eagles (11-1) exchanged the lead five times with three ties in the first seven minutes of the contest before ERAU went on an 11-0 run to establish a led it wouldn't relinquish.
 
HPU was led by the play of senior Domantas Sakickas of Lithuania who collected 12 points and eight rebounds. Graduate student Roman Young of Wichita, Kan./Sunrise Christian Academy, freshman Max Topham of Paragonah, Utah/Real Salt Lake Academy, and junior Trey Miller of Mukiteo, Wash./Archbishop Murray ead added six points, with Miller also contributing six rebounds.
 
ERAU got 18 points and six rebounds from Elijah Jenkins, with Malcolm Whitlow coming off the bench with 13 points and Romeo Crouch adding 12 points with five assists.
 
The Sharks were held to shooting 31 percent from the field (18-of-59), but made 7-of-22 (32 percent) from the 3-point arc. The Eagles connected on 49 percent from the floor (29-of-59), including 12-of-29 (41 percent) from the arc. Both teams posted identical free throw marks, making 8-of-12 (67 percent). The Eagles dominated the glass 46-29, but the Sharks turned the ball over nine times to ERAU's 12.
 
HPU battled No. 11 Embry-Riddle hard in the first seven minutes, trading the lead with the Eagles. HPU used a 3-point jumper from redshirt freshman Jackson Young of Kerrville, Texas/Tivy to grab a 14-13 lead with 13:03 to play in the first half.
 
But after the Sharks suffered a turnover, Whitlow responded for the Eagles with a layup nearly a minute later, then blocked a shot, got the rebounds and turned it into another fast break layup to key an 11-0 run to put the momentum behind Embry-Riddle. HPU fought back, but triple from Jenkins – one of six on the night – put ERAU up 37-24 with 2:58 to play. Neither team scored the rest of the half.
 
The Eagles swapped scores early but turned in a 19-6 run opening six-and-a half minutes to put HPU down by 3-pointer from Jon Alessandro to put the Sharks away on the way to the 78-51 win.
 
The Sharks are off for the holidays and will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 30 when they host Hawai'i Hilo at The Shark Tank. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m., following the women's game at 4:30.