Sharks defeat #12 Seawolves, 77-71

HONOLULU – Senior guards Diante Mitchell and Suki Wiggs scored 18 points apiece but the 12th-ranked Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team could not overcome a cold-shooting night Saturday in a 77-71 loss to Hawaii Pacific at Moanalua High School.

The Seawolves (2-2) also got eight points and 10 rebounds from senior forward Corey Hammell, plus 10 points apiece from Connor Devine and Spencer Svejcar in the loss.

The Sharks (2-0) were led by 22 points and 10 rebounds from guard Chauncey Orr, while guard Connor Looney added 20 points on 12-of-15 free throw shooting.

UAA led 12-7 after six minutes but could stretch the lead no higher. Mitchell drained two free throws to make it a 29-26 Seawolf advantage with 2:22 left in the first half, only to be answered by a 7-0 run from the hosts.

HPU led 35-30 at halftime and pushed its lead to double digits, 54-43, on a layup by Jonothan Janssen with 11:18 remaining. UAA trailed 68-53 with 4:23 on the clock before making a furious comeback, drawing within 72-64 on two Mitchell free throws at the 1:44 mark.

Mitchell's layup made it 74-68 with 39 seconds left and he drained a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds showing, before HPU clinched it with two free throws by Looney.

Mitchell also dished a game-high five assists, however UAA shot just 37.3 percent (22 of 59) from the floor, including 4 of 20 from three-point land. Meanwhile, HPU connected at a 46.2 percent clip (24 of 52) to overcome the Seawolves' 40-35 rebounding advantage.

The Seawolves return to the Alaska Airlines Center next week for two more West Region games when they face BYU-Hawaii and Cal State Los Angeles in the annual Seawolf Jamboree, Nov. 18-19. Call 907-786-1562 or visit GoSeawolves.com for ticket information.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Corey Hammell: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#11 Diante Mitchell: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#20 Spencer Svejcar: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#2 Sekou 'Suki' Wiggs: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#30 Connor Devine: F/C; 6' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#25 Corey Hammell
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#11 Diante Mitchell
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#20 Spencer Svejcar
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#2 Sekou 'Suki' Wiggs
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#30 Connor Devine
: 6' 10"; Senior
: F/C