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Hope International University

MBB vs OUAZ
(C) Liza Rosales
62
OUAZ OUAZ 8-16, 1-9
76
Winner Hope International HIU 21-3, 9-1
OUAZ OUAZ
8-16, 1-9
62
Final
76
Hope International HIU
21-3, 9-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
OUAZ OUAZ 30 32 62
Hope International HIU 34 42 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Robert Nilsen

Big Second Half Helps Royals Down Spirit

Fullerton, CA - The No. 22 Hope International University men's basketball team (21-3, 9-1 GSAC) used a big second half to take down the Ottawa University Arizona Spirit 76-62 on Thursday evening at home in the Darling Pavilion.

It was a back and forth game in the first half as the teams traded the leads with neither able to get away from the other. The Royals grinded out to a three point lead with back to back layups from Aaron Wadman with 12:55 to go. The Spirit came right back to go up 13-12 but the Royals came right back with a 7-2 run led by five points from Nick Hopkins to take a 19-16 lead with 9:13 left. The Spirit would rally to tie it and then take a 23-21 lead with 6:42 to go. The game swung back to the Royals as Josh Hardiman responded with a dunk to start a 9-2 run as the Royals went up 30-25 with 2:25 to go. The Spirit would close to within 32-20 before two late free throws from Wadman extended their lead back to 34-30 at halftime.

The Royals upped their lead to five to start the second half as CJ Fisher muscled to the rim for a basket to give the Royals a 37-32 lead. The teams then traded buckets with the Spirit keeping it close at 39-36 with 16:33 remaining. The Royals offense then sprung to life with Wadman dishing it off to Hardiman to start a 7-0 run finished off by the first Royals three of the game by Wadman to put them up 46-36 with 14:52 left. The Spirit rallied to get within 49-42 but that's as close as the Royals top ranked defense let them get. Grant Sii then came to life scoring a bucket as he went on to score 17 points including the basket to give the Royals their largest lead of 74-54 with 3:31 to go. The Spirit answered with a quick three but it was to little to late as the Royals went on to win 76-62. The Royals dominated the paint outsourcing the Spirit 44-22 while outrebounding them 35-23. Sii led the Royals with 20 points. Hardiman also put up a season high 16 points.

The Royals continue GSAC action at home as they host No. 10 Arizona Christian on Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 PM in the Darling Pavilion.

 

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