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Hawaii Pacific University Athletics

Maj Dusanic
70
Winner Western Wash. WWU 8-3,1-0 Great Northwest
69
Hawaii Pacific HPU 4-8,0-3 PacWest
Winner
Western Wash. WWU
8-3,1-0 Great Northwest
70
Final
69
Hawaii Pacific HPU
4-8,0-3 PacWest
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Wash. WWU 43 27 70
Hawaii Pacific HPU 34 35 69

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Last Second Free-Throw Decides HPU's Fate, Falling to Western Washington, 70-69

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Pacific University men's basketball team wrapped up Hoops in Hawai'i Holiday Classic play, Monday afternoon, inside the Hawai'i Convention Center. They took on Western Washington University in a game that came down to the final seconds, with a free-throw making the difference, as HPU fell to WWU 70-69.

The Sharks (3-7, 0-3 PacWest) have one more non-conference game before restarting PacWest play, while the Vikings (8-3, 1-0 GNAC) will continue GNAC play after the holiday break. 

After a Western Washington jumper to start the first half, senior Jalen Chandler hit a layup to get Hawaii Pacific on the board. The first ten minutes were competitive, the Vikings would take a small lead, the Sharks would always respond. Eventually the score settled at 20-18 in favor of WWU. Over the next eight minutes, Western Washington went on a 20-10 run. Hawaii Pacific would be able to bring it back slightly, finishing the half on a 6-2 run, and now only trailed 43-34 heading into the lockers. 

The Sharks needed something to get them back into the game, and what better way than a 14-0 run to start the second half, highlighted by freshman Melo Sanchez and Marquis Moore combining for ten of those points. However, the momentum shifted after the second media timeout, as the Vikings had a 23-13 run to give them a 66-61 lead with four minutes remaining. 

Moore decided to take matters into his own hands, scoring six straight points, junior Maj Dusanic followed that up with a couple of free-throws of his own to give the Sharks a three point lead with less than a minute to go. WWU then drove down, missed their first shot, grabbed the offensive board, before hitting a game-tying three-pointer. HPU then tried to go for the killing blow but missed their opportunity. With five seconds left, an unfortunate foul by Hawaii Pacific led to a pair of charity stripe shots for Western Washington. They would hit 1-of-2, giving them a one point lead. The Sharks attempted to drive it down, but lost control of the ball, falling to the Vikings, 70-69. 

Moore was the team leader in three categories, scoring 19 points, bringing down 11 rebounds, and stealing away two balls. 

Dusanic followed behind him, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. 

Meanwhile, senior Trey Chapman stood tall, swatting away two shots. 

The Sharks will get some time to regroup and enjoy the holiday break before playing their final matchup of 2022. They will host the Champion Christian College Tigers for the last non-conference game of the season on Thursday, December 29, inside the Shark Tank, with tip-off set for around 6:30 p.m. HT. 

#GoSharks

 
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