Honolulu, HI – The Hawai'i Pacific University men's basketball team bounced back with a strong performance at the Shark Tank, defeating Fresno Pacific 62-46 on February 8, 2025. The Sharks took control early and never looked back, dominating both ends of the court to secure a key PacWest victory.
Key Players and Contributions
- Pavle Kuzmanovic led HPU with 10 points while shooting 4-9 from the field and knocking down two three-pointers.
- Joshua West contributed another solid effort with 10 points and 8 rebounds while also dishing out 4 assists.
- Jonas Visser helped anchor the defense and added 8 points, while Charlie Weber and Maj Dusanic contributed 6 points apiece off the bench.
- Dusanic was perfect from the field (3-3) and hit both of his free throws, giving HPU a much-needed spark from the reserves.
Game Summary
The Sharks seized control from the tip, with a strong 31-15 lead at halftime. Despite a stronger second-half performance from Fresno Pacific, who shot 43.33% in the second half, HPU maintained their lead, with timely scoring and solid defense. The Sharks capitalized on the Sunbirds' struggles from beyond the arc, holding them to just 13% from three (3-23 overall).
Fresno Pacific (10-14, 7-9 PacWest) tried to mount a comeback, but HPU's defense held strong, limiting the Sunbirds to just 46 total points. HPU, on the other hand, shot 47.8% from the field and 90.9% from the free-throw line, sealing the victory with a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe in the second half.
Notable Team Stats
- Points off Turnovers: HPU scored 9 points off turnovers, forcing 10 Fresno Pacific turnovers.
- Rebounds: The Sharks controlled the boards with a 40-27 rebound advantage.
- Fast Break Points: Both teams had modest fast break points, but HPU capitalized with 4 fast break points.
With the win, HPU improves to 12-12 overall and 7-7 in the PacWest. They will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
#GoSharks
