BOX SCORE | PODCAST

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — In a well-fought battle, the Dominican University of California men's basketball team fell to Hawai'i Pacific University 74-70 on Saturday night in Pacific West Conference action. Junior guard Mark Lewis had a season-high 18 points.

The opening half was very strong for the Penguins (1-17/1-7). With as large as a season-leading 15-point lead, Dominican had a variety of contributions on both ends of the floor. Freshman forward Connor Haysbert led the Penguins with nine of his 11 points, but Lewis and sophomore center Killian Larson added eight, including a layup with just two seconds remaining. The defense held HPU (10-10/5-4) to only 20.8 percent in field goals in the half. Going into the locker room, the Penguins led 33-21.

However, the Sea Warriors imposed their will to come back, with a 12-3 run to open the second half. Trying to control the run, Lewis responded with a three-point basket and after a defensive stop, Haysbert scored a layup, keeping Dominican ahead 41-33.

With 10:09 remaining in the second half, the Dominican lead was redcued to just one point when senior forward Royal Edwards made a layup for HPU.

The Sea Warriors took their first lead with 6:18 in the second half when junior forward Adrian den Dulk hit a jump shot.

With less than five minutes remaining, the game stood tied at 57-57. Junior guard Nick Frazier hit a three-point basket to put the Sea Warriors up by three and there was no looking back for HPU.

With less then a minute remaining, down 72-70, the Penguins had one final chance to tie the game. Junior guard Xavier Muldrow stole a pass late in the game and passed to Larson, who was fouled by sophomore guard Kameron Steinhoff with 2.3 seconds remaining. However, both free throws failed to go in. HPU's Edwards rebounded, was fouled, and made both free throws to seal the game.

For HPU, Edwards led the team in scoring with 26 points. Sophomore guard Kyle Allen led the Sea Warriors with seven rebounds.

Larson finished the night with 16 points and a team-high six rebounds. Junior guard Xander McNally added 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the loss.

The Penguins will cross the Golden Gate Bridge for their next game against Academy of Art on Thursday, Feb. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco.