HONOLULU – The Hawaii Pacific University men's basketball team continued their play inside the Hawai'i Convention Center, taking on the University of Texas Permian Basin in the Hoops in Hawai'i Holiday Classic Sunday afternoon. It came down to the final minute, but unfortunately, HPU could not find the victory, falling to UTPB, 60-55. 

The Sharks (3-6, 0-3 PacWest) will look to break their 6-game skid tomorrow, while the Falcons (8-4, 2-2 LSC) will play one final game in Hawaii. 

It was a fast start for UTPB, with HPU quickly falling behind 7-0. However, Hawaii Pacific started to wake up, as senior Jalen Chandler and freshman Melo Sanchez connected on back-to-back three-point shots, giving the Sharks a 10-9 lead. Both teams then exchanged runs, but the scoreline returned in favor of the Falcons, who now lead 29-26 with three minutes to go. But with good defense, and a couple of offensive opportunities, HPU ended the first half on a 6-0 run, taking a 32-29 lead into halftime. 

Marquis Moore opened up the second half with a bang, slamming the ball down. Then, the test of true grit began, with both teams fighting for the advantage, resulting in several lead changes and three ties. The game was tied at 48 all, before UTPB went on a 10-2 run. With four minutes left in regulation, the Sharks, down eight, brought their deficit down to three, but a dunk from the Falcons sealed the match in the final minute. Hawaii Pacific suffered another blemish, 60-55, to Texas Permian Basin. 

Chandler led the team in both points (14) and rebounds (10), completing a double-double, his first of the season. 

Moore and Sanchez followed just behind him with 11 and ten points each. 

Finally, sophomore Mason Landdeck dished out a team leading three assists. 

The Sharks have one final game in the Hoops in Hawai'i Holiday Classic, this time against Western Washington University. The game will take place inside the Hawai'i Convention Center tomorrow, December 19, with start time set for 1:15 p.m. HT. 

#GoSharks