The first half found the Hawks stunned as the Pioneers jump out to a 2-12 lead in the first 7 minutes of play. Lack of intensity and settling for jumpers on every possession found Holy Names scoring only 4 points in the first 10 minutes of play.

It was not the pressure placed by the Pioneers that allowed the Hawks to play this way, but maybe the significance of the game. With the win the Hawks have an opportunity to play for the 2009-2010 California Pacific Conference Championship Saturday at William Jessup University, something they have not done since the 2007 season.

By half time Holy Names scored a season low 18 points and went in only down 4 (18-22).  For a team that had nothing to play for, the Hawks managed to all of a sudden give hope to. The Hawks allowed PUC to be comfortable in everything they did, there was not pressure placed on them to play fast, something they have proved unable to do and something the Hawks are good at making teams do.

By the start of the second half Holy Names continued to play the same way as the first half and in the first 11 minutes allowed PUC to extend their lead to 10. For the next two minutes the Hawks finally played Hawk basketball and tied the game at 39 apiece. The game would go back and forth for the next couple of minutes, and then PUC would just run out of gas. The Hawks would take the lead with 6:48 left in the game and not look back.

In the end the Hawks won the important battles; out rebounding the Pioneers by 6 and winning the turnover battle causing 22 turnovers.

For the Pioneers it was Kenny Penn who finished the game with a game high 18 points and 7 rebounds. Kameron Barnes also chipped in with 10 points. Brandon Monty, the Pioneers leading scorer was held to 4 points on the night, but managed to pull down a game high 10 boards.

For the Hawks it was David Scott leading the way with a low 13 points. Zac Sewitsky rounded out the Hawks double digit scoring with 10 points of his own.

With the win the Hawks move to 9-2 in conference play and 11-18 overall.

Holy Names will have an opportunity to play for the California Pacific Conference Championship on Saturday as they take on the Warriors of William Jessup University. With a win the Hawks not only win conference, but also receive a first round bye in the conference tournament, as well as, an opportunity to play one more home game.

Game time is 7:30pm in Rocklin, CA on the campus of William Jessup University.

Let's Go Hawks!