HONOLULU – The Hawaii Pacific University men's basketball opened up their Hoops in Hawai'i Holiday Classic gameplay today by taking on Simon Fraser University inside the Hawai'i Convention Center Saturday afternoon. Another second half comeback came up short, as HPU fell 79-73 to SFU. 

The Sharks (3-5, 0-3 PacWest) will play the University of Texas Permian Basin tomorrow, while the Red Leafs (4-5, 0-1 GNAC) snapped a 4-game skid.

Marquis Moore sank a three-pointer to open up the scoring for both teams. Moore, and senior teammate Trey Chapman, then both converted and-1 opportunities to give the Sharks a 9-4 lead four and a half minutes into the game. After holding a lead for the beginning of the first half, HPU fell behind due to two separate 5-0 runs by the Red Leafs. The momentum built from these runs resulted in a 43-33 deficit for Hawaii Pacific heading into halftime. 

Simon Fraser kept building on their lead, extending it to 14 points, 55-41, five minutes into the second half. However, junior Maj Dusanic rolled in a layup, and sophomore Mason Landdeck followed it up with a three-pointer. This started a landslide for the Sharks, going on a 24-12 run to bring their deficit to only two points, 67-65, with less than seven minutes to go. Unfortunately, the Red Leafs would go on a 6-0 run, which was big enough to hold off Hawaii Pacific's comeback, as HPU fell 79-73.

Moore scored a career-high 30 points, shooting 55 percent from the field. He also led the team in rebounds, hauling in eight. 

Landdeck and Dusanic followed behind with 17 and ten points respectively.

Meanwhile, senior Elijah Martinez was the team leader in passing, giving out three assists.  

The Sharks are back at it tomorrow, December 18, as they face off against the University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons. Tip-off is set for 1:15 p.m. HT inside the Hawai'i Convention Center.