It’s been awhile since Chaminade has been referred to as college basketball “Giant Killers,” but that doesn’t mean the Silverswords do not pose a threat to higher-division teams.
Hawai’i learned that first-hand on Sunday, needing to rally from a 68-61 deficit with eight minutes remaining for a 93-87 exhibition game victory over their neighborhood visitors in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A free-admission spirited crowd of 2,025 — including a vocal Chaminade cheering section — watched Dre Bullock score 23 points, grab eight rebounds and make three steals to lead the Warriors, and Harry Rouhliadeff added 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Silverswords used full-court pressure to disrupt UH into 22 turnovers, which resulted in 30 points for Chaminade.
The Warriors held a slim 43-40 lead at halftime but the Silverswords went up, 56-55, after Nate Sasser III’s two free throws with 12:39 remaining. Sasser later extended the lead to 68-61 with 8:31 left on a layup off a backcourt turnover.
Hawai’i coach Eran Ganot said the intense defensive pressure — and even the Warriors’ late deficit — provided a good challenge that can benefit them in preparing for the season.
“”You gotta love this, this is great, this is great, this is awesome,” Ganot said. “How fortunate are we, to get this? (The Silverswords) are good, they’re one of the better teams at that kind of pressure, one through five.”
Bullock, a grad transfer guard from South Dakota, said it took his and his teammates full effort on both sides of the ball to get past the scrappy and athletic Chaminade squad.
“Honestly, I was just trying to do everything to win the game,” Bullock said. “We don’t take anyone lightly, they’re a really good program, so we were really just trying to play hard, get guys the ball, and just win.”