HONOLULU – Sparked early by a record-tying performance from junior forward Niko Bevens, the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team shot a blazing 57 percent from the field Friday to earn an 83-79 win over Hawaii Pacific in the GNAC/Pac West Challenge at McCabe Gymnasium.

Playing their first game against a fellow NCAA Div. II opponent this year, the Seawolves (3-0) got 28 points on 8-of-13 three-point shooting from Bevens, plus 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from junior guard Jack Macdonald. A transfer from Div. I Montana, Bevens tied the UAA program record for most three-pointers in a half with seven.

The Sharks (0-1) were led by 21 points and three assists from senior forward Jonathan Janssen, the Pacific West Conference Preseason Player of the Year.

Even with their leading scorer and rebounder, Tyler Brimhall, on the bench with two fouls in less than three minutes, the Seawolves were able to forge a 17-9 lead midway through the first half. But after making just four of its first 17 field goals, HPU made 12 of its last 14 to end the half, taking a 45-38 lead to the locker room.

UAA stayed close thanks to Bevens, who drained seven of 11 treys in the opening stanza to tie Casey Robinson's UAA record from Jan. 20, 2011 against Western Oregon.

“This was a very good win for us against a disciplined and well coached HPU team,” said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne. “I was pleased how we persevered through some self-afflicted adversity. Niko was outstanding and carried us in the first half with Tyler out and Jack struggling. Erik Jenkins did a great job of filling in and playing with a ton of heart.”

UAA kept chunking away at its deficit behind an early surge by Brimhall in the second half, with North Idaho College transfer producing all of his 11 points and seven rebounds in the second 20 minutes.

Senior center Brian Pearson finally gave the Seawolves their first second-half lead with consecutive buckets to make it 62-61 at the 8:46 mark.

The Seawolves would never relinquish the lead, pushing as far ahead as far as 80-72 with under three minutes left on a basket by Macdonald. UAA fought off a late HPU comeback when point guard Brennan Rymer found Pearson for one of his five assists, taking a 82-77 lead with 15 seconds left.

The team's most experienced player and leading returning scorer, Pearson finished with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and eight rebounds.

“After struggling to execute, we were able to come up with a big basket out of our timeout late in the game,” Osborne added. “We made some mistakes today but also made some big plays as well.”

After an HPU putback basket, Rymer sealed the win with a free throw with two seconds on the clock.

The Seawolves complete their trip Saturday when they face Chaminade at 3:30 p.m. AST in the final game of the GNAC/Pac West Challenge.

Most Three-Pointers Made by a Seawolf, Half
1. 7, Casey Robinson vs Western Oregon, 1/20/11
    7, Niko Bevens at Hawaii Pacific, 11/9/18 (first)
3. 6, Tai Riser at Alaska Fairbanks, 2/26/94
    6, Tai Riser vs Weber State, 11/27/93
    6, Brandon Walker at Western Oregon, 2/19/11
    6, Travis Thompson vs Northland International, 12/16/13
    6, Kyle Fossman vs Western Oregon, 2/22/14 (first)
    6, Kyle Fossman vs Western Oregon, 2/22/14 (second)
    6, Travis Thompson vs Western Oregon, 2/22/14 (second)