AZUSA, Calif. – The Chaminade University men's basketball team ended their Southern California road swing with a stinging 88-87 loss to Azusa Pacific Saturday at the Felix Event Center.
Connor Peterson drained a free throw with 1.9 seconds left to send the Silverswords to their third straight loss on the road trip with Chaminade falling to5-9 overall and 3-4 in the Pacific West Conference.
Kevin Hu poured in a season-high 26 points, goinig 9-of-12 from the floor in defeat.
Rohndell Goodwin and
Kuany Kuany each tallied a double-double with Goodwin hitting for 17 points and 10 rebounds while Kuany had 16 points and 12 boards.
Sam Daly contributed with nine points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Five Cougars were in double-digits, led by Peter Kutlesic's 15 points and 14 rebounds. Azusa Pacific improved to 11-3 and 5-1.
The lead see-sawed in the game's first eight minutes before APU managed to run off a string of scores and built its largest lead of the game at 38-27 with 8:08 remaining before the half. The 'Swords managed to whittle away at the deficit in the closing minutes.
Oscar Pedroso's layup followed by Kuany's free throws ended a 12-0 run to give Chaminade a 47-45 lead with 1:17 left in the half. But Joey Schreiber's triple gave APU a 48-47 lead at the break.
Hu scored five of the Silverswords' first seven points in the opening minute of the second half to give them a 52-48 lead. APU then went on a 10-0 run to reclaim a four-point advantage at 58-52. Chaminade replied with a surge as Hu scored six straight on a three-point play and a triple. Daly hit a 3-pointer to put Chaminade ahead 63-62 with 14:15 left.
From there, the lead changed hands four times and Goodwin's layup put the 'Swords up 68-67 with 12:20 left. The Silverswords stayed ahead for the next 11 minutes until Connor Peterson's triple put APU up 84-83 with 1:12 left.
Kiran Shastri then made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point try to put the 'Swords ahead 86-84.
The game's final minute proved frantic. The 'Swords regained possession after forcing a missed layup but couldn't get a score on the other end. Jared Zoller then buried a three on the next possession, putting the Cougars up 87-86 with 27 seconds left. Kuany was fouled on the next possession, putting him on the free throw line with a chance to put this squad ahead. Kuany made one of two to tie the game with 17 seconds left. But Peterson was then hacked with 1.9 seconds remaining, where he made his game-winning free throw.
The 'Swords were 44.4 percent from the floor while APU shot 45 percent. Chaminade pulled down 43 rebounds to APU's 40 while the Cougars had 20 assists to the 'Swords' 19. But APU sunk 13 of its 34 attempts beyond the arc while CUH went 8-for-23. Chaminade managed to get to the free throw line 27 times, making 23. Azusa Pacific was only 9-of-18 from the line.
The Silverswords return home Saturday to face Fresno Pacific at McCabe Gym. Live audio coverage will be on GoSwords.com.
