HONOLULU, Hawai'i. - On Monday evening, the Hawai'i Pacific men's basketball team played their 2023 home opener against Slippery Rock University in front of an electric crowd.

Right from the tipoff the stage was set for an instant classic as both teams traded blows with neither finding separation from each other. HPU's Melo Sanchez and SRU's Jomo Goings would be lethal from beyond the arc and inside the paint respectively. The visiting Lions looked to take the lead into halftime after a pull-up jumper by Luke Howes to put Slippery Rock up by one. However Dominique "Diggy" Winbush would find Sanchez for a huge three with 28 seconds left to put the Sharks up 38-36 heading into halftime.

 In the second half, the Lions and the Sharks continued to struggle to put each other away for good. Sanchez continued to be elite from long range as he finished the night with six, missing only three attempts. Meanwhile the tandem of Matthew Van Komen and Maj Dusanic proved to be a formidable duo as Van Komen earned a double-double with four blocks as Dusanic filled the stat sheet with five assists and boards. 

As time continued to wind down with a minute and thirty seconds left in the game Slippery Rock was able to tie the game at 74 with a tough three-pointer. The Lions looked primed to spoil Hawai'i Paciifc's party as blocked HPU shot put the ball in hands of a driving Maceo Austin. SRU's guard was poised to be the hero of the game until Dusanic met him at the rim. The Lions would regain possession but another missed shot and a clutch board by Van Komen put all eyes on Winbush with 4.5 seconds remaining.

The guard hailing from Los Angeles would rise to the occasion as he drove left, blowing by the SRU's rotation, and causally hit the buzzer beater as the 300-plus crowd in attendance would erupt in celebration. 

With the 76-74 win the Sharks are now riding a three-game win streak heading into their conference opener this Saturday at home against Westmont.

For the full HPU men's basketball schedule, CLICK HERE