HONOLULU, Hawai'i - In a thrilling clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) Sharks showcased their dominance by outclassing the nationally-ranked CSU San Bernardino Coyotes with an 82-71 victory on the opening day of the Hoops In Hawai'i Classic.
Entering the matchup on a scorching five-game win streak, the Sharks were determined to defend their unbeaten record at the Shark Tank against the formidable Coyotes, who held the 9th/10th spot in both the coaches and media polls.
From the opening tip-off, it was evident that HPU meant business. The first half saw a blistering offensive display led by Melo Sanchez, who tallied nine crucial points to set the tone for what would be a long night for the team from California. Matthew Van Komen would once again anchor the defense with a pair of emphatic blocks, while timely contributions from Ethan Taafe and Charlie Weber kept the Sharks in control. Meanwhile, Maj Dusanic, shooting an impressive 80% from the field, added to the spectacle with a posterizing dunk, capping off an electric first half that concluded with HPU holding a 41-33 lead.
The Sharks' first-half performance was nothing short of spectacular, shooting nearly 57% from the field while stifling the Coyotes to under 36%. With such a showcase of both offensive finesse and defensive prowess it was clear that an upset was brewing on Oahu.
As the second half unfolded, Sanchez elevated his game to another level, putting on a scoring clinic in a gym where he averaged 15.3 points per game entering the contest. The sharpshooter from San Diego scored 22 points in the second 20 minutes of play, reaching the 30-point threshold for the second time this season. Despite CSUSB's Christopher Mitchell contributing 28 points to keep his team in contention, the Coyotes struggled to contain the relentless onslaught from the Sharks' offense.
Even when Yotes were able to slightly contain Sanchez they were left vulnerable to a deep HPU roster that can beat you in multiple ways inlcuding Dusanic and Josh Nuisulu who combined for 22 points on an impressive 70% combined field goal percentage. Also Dominique "Diggy" Winbush continued to frustrate opponents, earning trips to the free-throw line and finishing the game with a perfect six-for-six from the stripe, ro end the night with 13 points, six boards, and four assists.
The Sharks' cohesive effort proved too much for San Bernardino to overcome, as HPU secured the 82-71 victory. Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi and his squad celebrated their sixth consecutive triumph, maintaining an unblemished record at the Shark Tank and securing their second victory against a regionally-ranked opponent (Western Washington).
Looking ahead, the Sharks have no intention of slowing down. Their next challenge awaits in the "Town vs The Town" game against NBA Hall-of-Famer Gary Payton's Lincoln University Oaklanders at 8:00 pm HST. As HPU continues to make waves in the Nakanishi-Era,Shark Nation eagerly anticipates the next chapter in this remarkable season.
