top of page

Hawaiʻi men's basketball survives scare from Hawaiʻi Pacific

Five field goals in arc enough for Hawaiʻi to walk away the victors

The University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team survived a major scare from the Hawaiʻi Pacific University Sharks on Tuesday and escaped with a narrow, 67-63, victory at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Kody Williams was piping hot from 3-point range, as he went 7-for-8 on the night to lead UH with a career-high 24 points. Gytis Nemeikša was next with 13 points, and he was 3-for-6 from 3-point range. Ryan Rapp had 12 points himself, all from 3-point range, as he went 4-for-5 on the night.

Sherman Brashear led the Sharks with 22 points and drilled five of HPU's seven total triples. Jonas Visser was the only other double-digit scorer with 14.

UH began a little sluggish, while HPU came out like rabid dogs. The Sharks executed some major defense on the 'Bows and took as much as a 9-point lead.

UH still stayed close, but their 3-point shooting ultimately saved their bacon. UH shot an even 50% (8-for-16) from 3-point range, but their inside game was a much different story. They only made four field goals in the paint in the first 20 minutes.

HPU's Visser was a monster in that first half, as he led all players with 10 at the break. At the half, it was 38-33, HPU.

For UH, the second half was not much better in the paint, but their 3-point shooting never wavered. UH ultimately took the lead for good with 16:03 remaining via a Harry Rouhliadeff layup. That generated an 11-0 UH run for their biggest lead, 51-42, with 13:23 remaining. It was also UH's only field goal in the paint in the entire second half.

Williams banked his seventh and final triple with 8:33 remaining to make it 60-53, UH. That would turn out to be UH's final field goal of the night; their final seven points came from the free throw line. Ultimately, UH shot a dismal 5-for-27 inside the arc overall, and missed their last eight in the second half.

HPU continued to pressure UH but did not take the lead. A costly turnover with 19 seconds left all but crushed the Sharks' chance at an upset.

UH would ultimately win the game at the free throw line for the final arithmetic. In total, Hawaiʻi shot a sizzling 48% (15-for-31) from 3-point range to HPU's 39% (7-for-18).

The 'Bows will hit the road to take on future Mountain West opponent, the Grand Canyon Lopes, on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. HST and then begin Big West Conference play against Long Beach State on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. HST. You can listen to both games on ESPN Honolulu and watch the Long Beach State game on Spectrum SportsNet.

bottom of page