HONOLULU, Hawai'i – For the second time in three nights, the Concordia University Irvine Eagles rode the hot shooting of redshirt freshman Kayle Knuckles and prevailed against a PacWest Conference opponent in the Aloha State.

CUI defeated Hawai'i Pacific University 80-56 Thursday evening thanks in large part to some timely threes and a huge turnover margin.

Knuckles led all scorers with 17 points just two days after he tied a career-high with 20 against Hawai'i Hilo.  Robert Taylor and Kyle Gray were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Eagles (13-6, 9-1 PacWest) forced 18 turnovers and limited their own mistakes by only coughing up the ball seven times against the Sharks (4-11, 1-9 PacWest).  Concordia's defense also did not allow HPU to make a single three-pointer in the entire second half, while Knuckles finished 5-of-9 from downtown by himself.  The Green and Gold shot 10-for-27 from long range as a team.

"Everyone was really unselfish in the offense," said senior post Geoff Gerlach, who chipped in with seven points.  "We moved the ball and stayed aggressive to make the right play to the open player."

Not satisfied with a small 40-35 advantage at the break, Concordia came out attacking to start the second half.  Knuckles canned two quick treys to stretch the lead to 46-35 and then Cameron English went to work in the paint with a dunk, followed by a layup and a free throw.

CUI led by as many as 27 in the second half and cruised the rest of the way.

"Rebounding and making smart plays that benefitted us on both ends of the floor was the reason why we came out ahead," said English.

The Eagles have now won 12 of their last 14 contests.

"Hawai'i Pacific is very talented and dangerous," explained Concordia head coach Ken Ammann.  "We did a good job staying focused and competed at a high level in the second half."

The Eagles close out their road trip this Saturday, Jan. 19 against third-place Chaminade (13-3, 7-3 PacWest) with the opening tip scheduled to start at 5 p.m. PT following the women's contest which begins at 3 p.m. PT. 

The Silverswords lost to league leader Point Loma by four points Thursday night.

"We have to keep our poise as a team and keep playing our style of basketball and that will give us the best chance to win game three of this trip," added Austin Clarke, who contributed eight points and three rebounds off the bench against the Sharks.

"Fatigue is always a factor on games two and three (of the Hawai'i road trip) and so we need to get rested and ready for a really good Chaminade team on Saturday," added Ammann.

The Eagles next home game will be next Thursday, Jan. 24 vs. Academy of Art.

For the full Concordia men's basketball schedule, click here.