HONOLULU, HI – In a dramatic matchup at the HPU Shark Tank on February 6, the Hawai'i Pacific men's basketball team (11-12, 6-7 PacWest) fought back in the second half to defeat William Jessup (7-13, 4-10 PacWest) by a 68-66 scoreline. The Sharks rallied from a 4-point deficit in the first half to secure the hard-fought victory.

Key Performances

• Avi Halpert led the charge for HPU with 19 points, including an impressive 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Halpert's clutch shooting in the second half was pivotal in the Sharks' comeback.

• Charlie Weber added a solid 13 points and contributed 4 rebounds, while Joshua West posted 12 points and 6 rebounds, playing a significant role in the second-half surge.

• William Jessup's Tamatoa Humbert was the standout for the Warriors, finishing with 17 points and hitting 3 three-pointers. Aydan Janssan was also key, adding 11 points and contributing heavily in the rebounding department with 10 boards.

Game Recap

The game started off tightly with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half. Jessup took a 26-22 lead into the locker room after a strong first half, where they shot 46.2% from the field. The Warriors were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 4 of 11 three-pointers.

However, Hawai'i Pacific came out with renewed intensity in the second half. With their defense tightening and offense clicking, the Sharks scored 46 points in the second half, shooting an efficient 53.3% from the field. Avi Halpert and Pavle Kuzmanovic provided much-needed scoring, while the team connected on 10 of 13 free throws, a crucial factor in their comeback.

The game was closely contested down the stretch, with 11 lead changes throughout the contest. Jessup's Humbert hit some crucial shots to keep the Warriors in the game, but the Sharks held their ground, never allowing the lead to slip away.

In the final moments, a key free throw performance by Halpert and Weber helped Hawai'i Pacific hold off Jessup's late push, securing a 68-66 victory.

Statistical Highlights:

• Hawai'i Pacific shot 45.5% from the field and 40% from three-point range, with key performances coming from Halpert, Weber, and Kuzmanovic.

• William Jessup shot 46.2% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc, but HPU's second-half offensive explosion proved to be the difference.

The win brings the Sharks back to .500 in conference play, while Jessup will look to regroup in upcoming games. This victory sets the stage for Hawai'i Pacific to build momentum as they continue their quest for postseason positioning.