HONOLULU (Dec. 19) – Senior forward Jaron Williams exploded for a career-high 29 points on sizzling shooting and the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team fought off a late charge by Hawaii Pacific to earn a 77-72 victory on Tuesday in the Hoops In Hawaii Classic at The Shark Tank.

The Seawolves (10-3) also got 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds from junior point guard Dillon Barrientos as they concluded the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 2-1 record in the event.

The Sharks (7-3) were led by 21 points from guard Dominique Winbush as their seven-game winning streak was snapped, despite shooting 52 percent and outrebounding the visitors 33-26.

UAA was able to overcome its statistical deficits by committing just four turnovers – one off the program record – and forcing 14 by HPU.

"I thought we came out somewhat sluggish," said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne, whose team fell behind 11-2 at the outset. "We were fighting a lot of injuries and probably some fatigue, but Hasaan Herrington's energy really sparked us in the first half and got us back in the groove. Then in the second half we went small and Jaron took advantage of his mismatches, and Caleb Larsen gave us some great minutes and made it possible for Dillon to get a rest. That was a big region win after letting last night's game slip away. To get two wins over here shorthanded is a testament to this team's resilience."

After the slow start, UAA clawed back to take its first lead at 22-21 on two free throws by Williams, whose previous career high was 19 points.

The Seawolves led 35-31 at the halftime break and fell behind briefly 45-44 on a basket by Winbush with 15 minutes remaining. HPU could not retain its early second-half momentum, however, as Larsen answered with a three-pointer and combined with Williams to do all the scoring in a 14-4 Seawolf run over the next four minutes.

UAA took a 64-54 advantage on a Barrientos jumper in the lane with 6:46 left, and although the Sharks responded with back-to-back three-pointers, they could not make it a one-possession game the rest of the way.

Williams – a local product from Bettye Davis East High School – shot 11 of 13 overall, 4 of 5 on threes, and 3 of 4 at the line, crushing his previous season high of 12 points, along with five rebounds and a game-high three steals. He scored 19 of his points after halftime, including a back-breaking layup that made it 71-62 with 1:19 remaining.

Barrientos led UAA with his six rebounds, while senior forward Sawyer Storms battled through foul trouble for nine points and five boards. Larsen finished with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting.

The Seawolves get another long break before returning to Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Jan. 6 at Alaska Fairbanks.