Hawaii men’s basketball team narrowly defeats Hawaii Pacific

Hawaii Pacific basketball coach Jesse Nakanishi’s strategic gamble nearly paid off in a close 67-63 loss to the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Nakanishi’s plan to double-team Hawaii’s center and force their guards to take contested shots worked well, limiting UH’s points in the paint but ultimately falling short due to the Rainbow Warriors hitting 15 3-pointers. UH’s Kody Williams scored a career-high 24 points, leading his team to victory despite a strong first half from HPU.
Both coaches praised their teams’ efforts, with Nakanishi commending his players for sticking to the game plan and Ganot acknowledging HPU’s strong first-half performance. Despite the loss, the Sharks showed resilience, with Sherman Brashear’s 22 points keeping them in the game until the end. UH improved to 5-1 with a challenging road trip ahead, while HPU looks to learn and grow from the close defeat.
The game showcased intense interisland competition and highlighted the need for consistent effort and preparation from both teams. Williams emphasized the importance of staying focused and bringing energy to every game. While HPU displayed determination and competitiveness, UH ultimately prevailed with strong shooting and defensive plays in the final minutes.
Overall, the matchup between HPU and UH provided an exciting and closely contested game, underscoring the competitive nature of college basketball in Hawaii. Despite the loss, the Sharks can take pride in their performance and use the game as a learning experience for future contests.

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