Hawaii Pacific is trying to win a championship by scoring only when it has to. HPU tops
By Jerry Campany, Special to the Star-Bulletin
Chaminade,
58-56The Sea Warriors turned back Chaminade, 58-56, in the opener of Pacific West Conference play despite shooting only 30 percent from the field and missing on all 15 of its 3-point attempts.
Chaminade was held to 32 percent shooting and forced into 16 turnovers by a swarming zone defense despite the absence of HPU floor leader Shannon Lee, who was suspended from this game for fighting in the previous one.
"Defense wins championships," Hawaii Pacific head coach Tony Sellitto said. "Kendall Lewis made some mistakes on the offensive end, but his defense gave us an opportunity to win. That is all I expected out of him."
Sellitto had been agonizing over his choice of point guard since Lee's suspension on Monday. He decided on Lewis over Dewayne Allen, a superb shooter, because of his defense. And the Sea Warriors' stifling zone didn't miss a beat.
Lewis found himself on the free-throw line with his team up by one, 57-56, and 21 seconds left in the game, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one.
Lewis atoned on Chaminade's trip down the floor with a block and steal as Kenzie Weir attempted a shot from the top of the key. Lewis was fouled and headed to the line once again, this time for two shots with 7.8 seconds left. Lewis missed the first shot but swished the second to stretch the margin to two.
Chaminade rushed down the court and got the ball into Stanley Martin's hands just beyond the 3-point line. Martin got a good look at the basket, but his shot glanced off the front of the rim.
UCLA golfer Parker McLachlin and Hawaii Pacific women's volleyball player Hai Yan Wang have been named the Sportspersons of the Month for December by the Honolulu Quarterback Club. McLachlin, Wang
December’s finestWang led the Sea Warriors to their second national title last month, their first at the NCAA Division II level. She was named the National Tournament MVP after HPU defeated North Dakota State for the championship.
McLachlin, a Punahou graduate, set a course record at the Waikoloa Resort Beach Golf Course with a 59. The previous record was a 62 set by pro Isao Aoki in 1982.
UH BASEBALL TICKETS: The Hawaii Rainbow 1999 baseball season ticket sale ends today.
Season tickets can be purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center ticket office or via the BOWS Ticket Hotline (944-BOWS) today until 4 p.m.
Despite a return to a winning record in 1998, season ticket sales probably will show another decrease this year. Through Wednesday, 1,141 had been purchased for the upcoming season.
The decline has been steady since 3,065 season tickets were sold in 1994. Last year, 1,413 season tickets were sold.
The Rainbows opened practice yesterday. They play the annual alumni doubleheader Jan. 17 and the season opener against UCLA Jan. 22.
ALOHA GYMFEST: The 23rd annual Aloha Gymfest will take place Jan. 15-17 at the Kailua High School gymnasium with Kokokahi Gym Team hosting more than 200 athletes from clubs in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
The longest-running invitational gymnastics competition in the country features elite-level gymnasts and those in levels 4 through 10.
Tickets range from $6 to $10, with children admitted for half-price.
For information, call 235-6866.