Honolulu, HI – Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) secured a
61-52 victory over Fresno Pacific in a critical PacWest matchup on
February 8, 2025, at the Shark Tank. The win improves the Sharks' record to
10-11 overall and
6-9 in the PacWest Conference, while Fresno Pacific drops to
11-12 overall and
7-9 in conference play.
Game Recap
The first quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with both teams tied at 14-14 after 10 minutes of play. The Sharks took control in the second quarter, with strong defense limiting Fresno Pacific to just 7 points, allowing HPU to build a 28-21 lead at halftime.
HPU continued to dominate in the third quarter, outscoring the Sunbirds 13-9, despite a scoring drought for Fresno Pacific. The Sunbirds struggled with shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, finishing the game at just 5-24 (20.8%) from 3-point range.
In the fourth quarter, Fresno Pacific made a push, scoring 22 points, but HPU's solid free-throw shooting (91.67% in the fourth quarter, 11-12 overall) and timely defensive plays helped them maintain their lead. Despite a strong effort from Fresno Pacific, HPU's offensive and defensive consistency was too much to overcome.
Free Throw Shooting: HPU excelled at the charity stripe, finishing 22-27 (81.5%), while Fresno Pacific struggled with 7-14 (50%).
Hawaii Pacific Standouts
Next Up
With this win, HPU looks to continue their momentum as they head into their next game in the PacWest Conference. The Sharks will aim to build on their strong performance and continue improving their record for the rest of the season.
