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MBB Win Graphic 2/25
86
Hawaii Pacific HPU 11-19,6-14 PacWest
88
Winner Biola BIO 17-10,12-8 PacWest
Hawaii Pacific HPU
11-19,6-14 PacWest
86
Final
88
Biola BIO
17-10,12-8 PacWest
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hawaii Pacific HPU 36 50 86
Biola BIO 36 52 88

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

It’s Electric

The Eagles capped off the regular season on Saturday with an exciting win on Senior Night inside Chase Gym.

LA MIRADA --- The final game of the 2022-23 regular season came through Chase Gym on Saturday night, as the team honored its three seniors after the game. The BU men's basketball squad (17-10, 12-8 PacWest) had plenty to celebrate after the 40 minutes of action, defeating Hawai'i Pacific (11-19, 6-14 PacWest) in a 88-86 nail-biter.

The two teams matched well with neither team gathering a double-digit lead throughout the contest. HPU was able to gain the first edge though, pushing forward in the first half.

The visitors started aggressively, drawing contact from the BU defenders. The fouls began to pile up for BU, leading to early reserves action and free throws for the Sharks. HPU sank eight free throws in the opening 16 minutes of the contest and pulled together a 36-27 lead.

Momentum shifted going into halftime with the Eagles scoring nine answered points. BU held HPU to 0-4 shooting and a turnover, while sinking three field goals and three free throws, knotting the game at 36 at halftime.

The break interrupted the BU run and gave time for the Sharks to regroup. The visitors returned to their rhythm in the second half and retook the lead in the early going. Once again, HPU led but the Eagles stayed within striking distance.

Great scoring runs from Nathan Medina and Daniel Esparza kept the offensive moving in the high-scoring affair. For a three-minute stretch, Medina scored all 10 of Biola's points, while outscoring HPU by one in that span. Esparza then took the baton and tacked on eight-straight points for Biola, bringing the team within three of HPU with 5:27 left in the game.

One minute later, Alex Wright knotted the game at 76 with a three-pointer from the right side. Hawai'i Pacific responded with its own three-point play and went ahead by three once again, as the clock ticked below three minutes left.

The crowd got a bit of deja vu next, as Wright nailed another triple to tie the game, this time at 81 apiece. Two clutch defensive positions allowed a Hunter Ruck putback layup to give the Eagles the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. 

The Sharks were not out of it yet and found their way to the free throw line, needing both to fall to tie the game. Two foul shots went in and the game was tied at 83 with 50 seconds to go.

Who else to call upon but Alex Wright who drove in to the left for the game-winner. Falling away, Wright banked the layup through the net and put the Eagles in front again. This time, the lead for Biola would stick, as Maximo Milovich and Esparza added free throws to clinch the victory.

Throughout the 40 minute contest, Biola held a lead for just one minute and 30 seconds, while the Sharks were in front for 34 and a half minutes.

With 14 points, Wright increased his career total to 1,627 which moved him into fifth on the scoring list in program history. Head Coach Dave Holmquist also grabbed his 1,040th career victory, which tied Danny Miles.

Medina matched his season-best total with 21 points on Saturday. The freshman hit two triples and three free throws and added six rebounds. Esparza came in next at 20 points with eight field goals.

Ruck picked up his second double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 boards. Four offensive boards from Ruck helped the Eagles reach 20 second chance points.

After the game, the team honored the contributions of Wright, Lucas Elliott, and Zanen Zeller during their senior night ceremonies.

The Eagles will be back on the planks on Thursday when they kick off the PacWest Tournament against fourth-seeded Hawai'i Hilo in the opening round.
 
Gallery: (2-25-2023) MBB vs Hawai'i Pacific Senior Night
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