Saturday, December 5, 1998

Sea Warriors
outclass rest of
PacWest Hawaii

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii Pacific Sea Warriors are talented and blessed with depth. That was obvious after two nights of PacWest Hawaii basketball tournament action.

The Sea Warriors are better at this point in the season than Hawaii's other three PWC Pacific Division members.

"There's no question about that. Tony (Sellitto) is right, the only team that will stop them is themselves, at least in the state," UH-Hilo coach Jeff Law said.

Hawaii Pacific (4-3) shot 65 percent (18-of-30) from 3-point territory and had seven players in double figures in defeating Hawaii-Hilo, 99-75, in last night's championship game.

The Sea Warriors' bench scored 44 points. DeWayn Allen, a 6-foot junior reserve guard, had a game-high 20 points. Allen hit 6-of-8 3-pointers and both of his free throws, but missed his only 2-point shot.

Also contributing from the bench were Josh Newborn (13), Robert Grissom (11) and Scott Kato (10). Hawaii Pacific is still without starter Willie Flowers and Kawika Smith becomes eligible after the two-week exam break.

"I can't get anybody to believe this, but the less you bother these guys, the better they play," Hawaii Pacific coach Tony Sellitto said. "All you have to do is put them in a set and let their athletic ability come out."

The Sea Warriors closed the first half with a 23-12 run for a 15-point lead, 39-24. With 11:32 left in the second half, Merriel Jenkins' tip-in pulled the Vulcans to within 12 points, 53-41.

Eight of the next 10 Hawaii Pacific field goals were 3-pointers and the lead was doubled to 82-58.

BYU-Hawaii 67, Chaminade 65: Paulasi Matavao swatted Derrick Tracy's layup attempt into the stands with 2.2 second left to preserve their third-place victory for the Seasiders.

David Evans led BYUH (4-1) with 18 points. Tamir Berkovitch's 18 points led Chaminade (1-5).