San Rafael, CA – The Hawaii Pacific University men's basketball team outlasted Dominican University (CA) in a thrilling 85-79 overtime victory on February 13, 2025 at the Conlan Center. The Sharks (13-12, 8-7 PacWest) fought through intense competition and key performances to seal a hard-earned win after two overtime periods.
Key Performances:
- Joshua West delivered an impressive 25 points and 7 rebounds, playing a massive 45 minutes on the floor.
- Pavle Kuzmanovic contributed significantly with 19 points, hitting 4 three-pointers in a standout effort.
- Jonas Visser notched 12 points and 9 rebounds, showing resilience in both offense and defense.
- Charlie Weber added 11 points, including a key 3-pointer, to support the Sharks in their fight.
- Avi Halpert chipped in 10 points, making crucial free throws down the stretch.
Game Recap:
The game started with a back-and-forth exchange, with Dominican leading 34-32 at halftime. Both teams traded leads throughout the second half, with 11 lead changes before a late-game surge. A strong finish in the first overtime saw the Sharks edge ahead, and despite Dominican's best efforts, the Sharks dominated the second overtime to close out the game.
In the overtime periods, Hawaii Pacific relied on solid free-throw shooting, going 19-of-27 overall, while Dominican struggled from beyond the arc, making just 8 of 28 three-point attempts.
Notable Contributions from Dominican:
- Jorge Ochoa led the charge for Dominican with 19 points and 7 rebounds.
- Darius Best contributed 16 points, despite shooting just 0-for-5 from deep.
- Nathan Ilunga and Jeffery Sargent added 5 and 7 points, respectively, in a losing effort for the Penguins.
The Sharks' win was defined by their resilience, strong defense, and clutch plays in overtime. As a result, they continue to chase a solid position in the PacWest standings.
Hawaii Pacific will look to carry this momentum forward as they push toward their next game, eager to make a statement in the final stretch of the season.
#GoSharks
