SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Hawai'i Pacific opened the PacWest Championship with a 64–59 victory over Vanguard on Thursday afternoon at Golden Gym.

The Sharks improved to 18-10 overall (13-9 PacWest) with the tournament win and will advance to game two of the PacWest Championship tomorrow.

The game remained tight throughout, featuring 14 lead changes and three ties. Hawai'i Pacific carried a 31–29 lead into halftime before holding off Vanguard down the stretch in the second half.

HPU shot 40.4 percent from the field and was perfect from the free throw line, finishing 15-for-15, which proved critical in maintaining the late lead.

Joshua West and Quinton McCullough led the Sharks with 15 points each. West added a strong all-around performance with 10 rebounds and five assists, while McCullough recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Maj Dusanic contributed nine points, while Quentin Meza added eight points, including two three-pointers.

The Sharks controlled the boards 35–29 and produced 12 fast-break points to help secure the win.

Vanguard was led by Erik Howlin, who finished with a game-high 26 points and eight rebounds, but the Lions struggled from long distance, shooting 5-for-26 (19.2%) from three-point range.

With the win, Hawai'i Pacific advances to the second game of the PacWest Championship series tomorrow as the Sharks continue their postseason run.