Costa Mesa, CA – The Hawai'i Pacific University men's basketball team faced three intense PacWest matchups on their road trip, showing grit and determination despite mixed results. The Sharks dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to Vanguard, fell to Azusa Pacific, but ended the trip with a hard-fought win against Westmont.
Game 1: Vanguard 91, HPU 89 (OT)
The Sharks battled to the wire but fell 91-89 in overtime against Vanguard. Despite dominating the boards with 55 rebounds, HPU couldn't capitalize in the extra period.
Key Performances:
- Pavle Kuzmanovic: Career-high 24 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, and 10 rebounds.
- Joshua West: Contributed 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist.
- Avi Halpert: Scored 17 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
- Charlie Weber: Added 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Game 2: Azusa Pacific 71, HPU 58
The Sharks struggled against Azusa Pacific's efficient shooting and free-throw accuracy, falling 71-58. HPU's second-half rally wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars.
Key Performances:
- Jonas Visser: Led the Sharks with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
- Kuzmanovic: Added 13 points, including three three-pointers.
- Joshua West: Finished with 11 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Game 3: HPU 72, Westmont 70
HPU ended their road trip on a high note with a thrilling 72-70 victory over Westmont. The Sharks held their composure in a game that featured 10 ties and 6 lead changes.
Key Performances:
- Visser: Dominated inside with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
- West: Scored 16 points, including clutch free throws, grabbed 4 rebounds, and had the game winning shot.
- Halpert: Added 15 points and 3 assists.
- Weber: Chipped in with 8 points and 2 three-pointers.
Looking Ahead:
The Sharks head to Biola for their last road game before heading home, aiming to build on their momentum and improve their 9-10 record (4-5 PacWest).
#GoSharks
