Posted on: Wednesday, January 12, 2005

ISLE FILE
HPU stops Chaminade in triple overtime

Advertiser Staff

Gene Barnes hit two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining to lift Hawai'i Pacific to a 121-119 triple-overtime victory over Chaminade in a Pacific West Conference basketball game at Blaisdell Center last night.

Chaminade's Scott Metcalf missed a 3-point attempt as time expired.

HPU is 7-5 overall and 1-1 in the PacWest. Chaminade is 10-5 and 4-1.

Chaminade's Chris Nelson hit a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds to go to send the game into overtime, tied at 88. HPU's Dante Sykes hit an off-balance shot to tie it at 97 and send it into a second overtime.

Chaminade's Corey Campbell hit a jumper with 50 seconds left to tie it at 109. Barnes' shot from near the free-throw line missed, sending the game into the third overtime.

Stevie Johnson led HPU with 32 points. Barnes added 29 points and Sykes 26. Zack Whiting led Chaminade with 27 points.

• Hilo ranked No. 19: University of Hawai'i-Hilo, off to the best start in school history, moved up to No. 19 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll.

Metropolitan State of Denver (12-0) is No. 1, followed by Virginia Union.

The Vulcans (15-1) made their debut in the poll at No. 25 last week. Since then, the Vulcans won three Pacific West Conference games — one against Western New Mexico and two against Montana State-Billings.

The weekly poll is conducted by eight members of the NABC Division II Congress.