SAN DIMAS, Calif. – No. 9-ranked Hope International men's basketball held Life Pacific to its lowest opponent scoring total in Great Southwest Athletic Conference play this season, earning a gritty 62-53 win on Thursday at Mehl Court.

The fewest points HIU had allowed in a previous GSAC game was 66 against OUAZ on December 6. The 53 points allowed to the Warriors represents HIU's lowest total to a GSAC opponent since a 70-46 victory over Park Gilbert on January 30, 2025.

HIU held the Warriors to 39.0 (23 of 59) percent shooting for the game, and limited the home team to just two free throw attempts. The Royals shot 44.9 (22 of 49) percent overall and 75.0 (12 of 16) percent at the free throw line.

The Royals also did a great job taking care of the ball with just eight turnovers.

Aman Haynes led HIU with 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting while adding five rebounds and a career-high three steals.

Nick Hopkins posted 15 points, making 6 of 11 floor shots and grabbing six rebounds. Darvelle Wyatt collected a game-high eight rebounds.

Reserve guards Colin Weems and JD Davis hit four huge threes off the bench for the Royals. Weems knocked down a career-best three triples for nine points.

In a closely contested first half, neither team led by more than five points until the Royals scored the final five points to earn a 29-23 advantage at halftime. Haynes scored 10 points on 4 of 4 shooting to spearhead the HIU offensive attack.

Hopkins opened the second half with a layup to give the Royals their biggest lead of eight at 31-23. But the Warriors reeled off seven straight points to trim their deficit to 31-30. With HIU leading 36-35, Weems hit back-to-back threes to give the visitors a 42-35 lead.

Back came Life Pacific, which used a 7-0 run to tie the score at 42-42. But Davis nailed a triple as HIU climbed back in front, 45-42.

The Warriors crept within one on two occasions, but the Royals held them scoreless over the final two minutes. Leading 55-53, Addy G'Bye hit a huge three-pointer for the Royals – and following a Warrior turnover – Hopkins converted a Haynes steal into a fast break layup.

HIU led 60-53 with 1:32 to go, and Life Pacific missed five straight three-point attempts to end the game.

The next four games for the Royals are all against teams with winning records, including GSAC leader The Master's. The Royals and Mustangs meet on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Santa Clarita.