Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Sports > Maui Big Success for Swords

Maui Big Success for Swords

Kelly Korras, Staff Writer

The Chaminade University men’s basketball team showed the country that they were a force to be reckoned with during this years Maui Invitational tournament.  With some of the best Division I programs from across the nation including two ranked in the top 25, the Swords did not back down from the challenge.  They lost to Michigan State, Wichita State and beat Oklahoma giving the Swords only their 6th victory in Maui history.

In the first game, the Swords faced the number two Michigan State Spartans.  They lost the nail biter 82 to 74.  The Swords were up by eight at one point during the first half but as the half came to a close the Spartans had tied it up 39 all.  The Swords led in the second half 53-50 before the Spartans went on a 15-0 run to seal the game.  Senior Steven Bennett, who had a double double with 20 points and 10 assists, led the Swords. Senior Shane Hanson, followed with 15 points, and junior Mamadou Dirra contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.  The Spartans were led by Kalin Lucus with 28 points and Draymond Green with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“Going up against the  number two team in the country was a great test for the team,” said Hanson, “A lot of people thought it would be a blow out, but everyone within the team knew it would not be. I think we shocked a lot of people even though we lost by 8 points. If a few things went our way, the game could have turned out differently.”

In the second game, the Swords fell behind early and were never able to recover.  They lost to the Shockers of Wichita State, 79-58.  Again Steven Bennett led the scoring with 13 points followed by junior Chris Curits who also had 13 points. Leading the Shockers was David Kyles who had 19 points.

In the last game of the Maui, the Swords were finally able to pull off an upset that was just waiting to happen. The Swords beat the University of Oklahoma Sooners, 68-64.  Shane Hanson led the Swords to its sixth victory in tournament history with five three pointers and 23 points. Bennett had 12 points including the go ahead layup with sixteen seconds left in the game. Dirra sealed the victory with two made free throws and ended the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Clade Davis who had 24 points in the loss led the Sooners. 

“Oklahoma was a great team,” said Bennett, “but me and my teammates woke up that morning knowing we weren’t going to leave Maui without a win.”

Bennett was named to the Maui Invitational All Tournament team. No Sword had been named to the All Tournament team since 2000. 

“It was a great accomplishment,” said Bennett, “It wasn’t something I was really focused on but it showed me that hard work really does pay off.”

“The Maui Invitational tournament gave us the opportunity to play against the countries best college programs,” said Hanson, “I think we showed a lot of people the upside this year’s team has, and they can see a national championship opportunity is not far fetched. The team bonded together and grew stronger during that week in Maui and we will use that to benefit us for the rest of the season.”