Angwin, CA - After a great performance in their home opener, the Hawks went on the road to face the Pioneers of Pacific Union College. Last season the Pioneers swept the Hawks for the first time in program history, but the Hawks managed to not let that happen again and captured its second conference win 80-62 over PUC.


First half proved to be difficult for the Hawks as they struggled to both defend and execute offensively. HNU would start the game with a turnover by Karlos Grier and an offensive put back by senior Josh Jewett. In the first five minutes of the half both teams found it difficult to settle in. The Pioneers would then go on a 7-0 run to go up 11-4. After a quick time-out the Hawks would go on an 8-0 of themselves to take an early one point lead (12-11). With 9:58 left in the game it was HNU's Adam Smith who gets a put-back on a 3-pt miss by Richard Craig to tie the game at 15 all. The Pioneers Kalle Pascal would have an opportunity to go the charity strike and earn three after a foul by Packie Turner. PUC would manage a 7-0 run to go up 22-15 before seniors Karlos Grier and Obie Woods manage a 9-0 run for the Hawks to put the Hawks up one (23-24) with 5:45 left in the game. PUC's Zach Murray would have an opportunity to put the Pioneers up one with a pair of free throws, but only manage to tie the game at 24 all. After two more ties at 26 and 28 all, HNU would manage to go into half time up 33-29 with two after a field goal and free throw from Colby Herron.

"We came out with a lack of focus and intensity in the first half, but after making some adjustments we manage to go into half with a small lead," says Coach Sanchez.

Holy Names managed to open up the half with a 13-4 run and pulled away 46-35. HNU would continue to extend their lead to 16 (40-56) with 10:18 left after a pair of free throws by Ian Collins. With 8:18 left in the game Colby Herron would cap off a 8-2 run by the Hawks to extend the lead to 20 (44-64). Holy Names would not look back and would maintain as much as a 22 point lead. The Hawks would try to run the clock out with 27 seconds left, but Karlos Grier would turn the ball over and with time expiring Josh Jewett got and offensive put back to finish the game 80-62.

"We came out in the second half defending the way we should and that allowed us more opportunities on the offensive end. It was good to see our bench come out and out score them 41-17," added Coach Sanchez.

Leading the way for PUC was Josh Jewett with 21 points and seven rebounds. Kalle Pascal topped off double figure scoring with 13 points.

The Hawks finished with four in double figures with Karlos Grier leading the way with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Colby Herron put up 16 points and 5 rebounds. Richard Craig and Ian Collins rounded off the double figure scoring with 13 and 11 points respectively.

Next for the Hawks is UC Merced in Tobin Gymnasium on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 7:30pm.