SAN RAFAEL, Calif. In a Pacific West Conference clash that unfolded with high stakes and dramatic flair, Hawai'i Pacific University's men's basketball team triumphed over Dominican University in a hard-fought 65-60 road win. The victory not only halted the Blue and White's two-game losing streak but also helped the squad maintain a share of first place in the conference standings.
The game began with adversity for the Sharks as the Dominican Penguins surged to a commanding 13-point lead in the opening minutes of the first half. However, senior Maj Dusanic emerged as a stabilizing force, contributing eight crucial points to propel HPU on a 15-5 run to close the period, bringing the Sharks within three points at halftime.
The second half unfolded as a nail-biting thriller, featuring over eight ties and lead changes, with neither team able to establish a decisive advantage. Amid the intense battle, Charlie Weber, making his first start for HPU, showcased his scoring prowess. The graduate student proved nearly unstoppable from mid-range, responding to multiple Penguin baskets with a rebuttal of his own. Weber concluded the night with a game-high 17 points, marking his fourth-straight game in double figures.
As the game unfolded with just over four minutes remaining, Josh Niusulu drained a clutch three-pointer to break the tie, giving HPU a 57-54 lead. This advantage proved insurmountable for the Penguins, as Charlie Weber would rise to the occasion with a crucial layup after securing his 11th rebound of the game. Melo Sanchez the proceeded to go perfect from the free-throw line down the stretch, icing the game for HPU with a final score of 65-60.
The starting five exhibited remarkable endurance, averaging 34 minutes of game time, with Niusulu logging an impressive 39 minutes. Dusanic continued to showcase his scoring prowess, reaching double figures once again at an elite rate, converting on 56% of his shots. Defensively, Dominique "Diggy" Winbush and Tucker Pellicci played pivotal roles, collecting four steals and two blocks, respectively.
With this triumph, the Sharks boast their best start in conference action since 2017, setting the tone for what will be a very exciting finish heading towards March.. As they return to the Shark Tank to face Academy of Art and Dominican once again, HPU looks to build on the momentum from this gritty win and maintain their standing atop the PacWest Conference. The victory not only highlights the Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi's squad's collective resilience, but also signals the tremendous depth of roster with players like Charlie Weber, who proved instrumental in securing this hard-fought victory.
