Honolulu, HI – The Hawai'i Pacific University men's basketball team secured a hard-fought 67-64 victory over Concordia University Irvine (CUI) at the Shark Tank. Jonas Visser and Joshua West delivered standout performances, lifting the Sharks to an 8-6 record (3-1 PacWest), while CUI fell to 8-5 (3-3 PacWest).
The Sharks took control in the first half, heading into the break with a 32-26 lead, shooting 46.2% from the field and draining 6-of-16 from deep. Despite a second-half surge from CUI, HPU's composure at the line and key defensive plays sealed the victory.
HPU will look to extend their winning streak when they host Azusa Pacific at 6:30 PM on January 9 in another PacWest showdown.
Key Performances
- Jonas Visser: Led the team with 14 points and 5 rebounds, shooting 6-of-10 from the field.
- Joshua West: Scored 11 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while adding 5 rebounds.
- Avi Halpert: Contributed 10 points and a team-high 5 assists, showcasing his all-around play.
- Pavle Kuzmanovic: Tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 22 minutes.
- Sherman Brashear: Added 9 points, all from three-point range, helping the Sharks maintain their offensive pressure.
Game Highlights
- Efficient Shooting: HPU shot 55.1% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range.
- Perfect Free Throws: The Sharks went 4-for-4 from the line, demonstrating poise in key moments.
- Defensive Impact: HPU limited CUI to just 14.3% shooting from three-point range in the first half.
- Bench Contributions: The Sharks' bench added 19 points, underscoring their depth.
The Sharks aim to keep building momentum as they continue their PacWest campaign at home against Azusa Pacific on January 9.
#GoSharks
