Belmont, CA—The third-ranked Brigham Young University Hawaii men’s basketball team clinched at least a tie for the Pacific West Conference championship tonight with a rain-delayed, 86-52 victory over Notre Dame de Namur on the road. The Seasiders blew open a tight game late in the first half to improve to 19-1 for the season and 9-0 in the PacWest with their record-breaking 16th consecutive victory.
The start of the game was delayed due to a leaky roof in the Notre Dame de Namur gym that resulted in the game being moved to a nearby high school. Once the game got underway, the Seasiders started slowly and led by only six points with 2:17 to play in the first half. However, BYU–Hawaii scored the final seven points of the period to take a 41-28 lead into the locker room. The Seasiders pulled steadily away in the second half and cruised to the win.
Freshman Jet Chang scored 20 points off the bench to lead the BYU–Hawaii attack. Lucas Alves added 19 points and Nate Sims picked up another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Marques Whippy came off the bench for nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks in a strong all-around performance for BYU–Hawaii and A.J. Reilly scored seven points off the bench. The Seasider reserves out-scored the Notre Dame de Namur bench 39-14 in the game. The Seasiders, who lead the nation in rebound margin, held a 44-24 advantage on the boards.
Deon Sharps scored 18 points and Bennie Murray 14 to lead the Argonauts, now 5-19 for the season and 0-11 in the conference.
The 16 consecutive wins for BYU–Hawaii breaks the school record of 15 set by the 1991-92 team. With just three conference games remaining for the Seasiders and both Dixie State and Chaminade, the teams trailing BYU–Hawaii in the standings, having three losses each, the worst the Seasiders can do is tie for the conference title.
BYU–Hawaii will attempt to clinch the conference championship on Friday against Dixie State in St. George, Utah. The Pacific West Conference game is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm Utah time.