OAKLAND, Calif – There are a lot of similarities between the Concordia University Irvine and Holy Names men's basketball teams.
 
Both are on pace to finish in the top half of the league and qualify for the PacWest Conference Tournament.  Both teams have senior guards that wear No. 0 and have dyed their hair blonde.  Both teams also have a player named Taylor: Robert for the Eagles and Alonzo for the Hawks (no relation).
 
Now both squads have a win over the other.
 
The Hawks snapped CUI's three-game winning streak by defeating the Green and Gold 73-64 Thursday night, shooting a scorching 50 percent from three-point land (8-for-16) and holding the Eagles to just 37 percent shooting.
 
CUI (16-8, 12-3 PacWest) ended the first half on an impressive 18-4 run after falling behind by as many as 17 points.  The Green and Gold were within 38-35 at intermission thanks to a couple key performances.
 
Kayle Knuckles helped pace the CUI offense in the first half.  The three-time PacWest Freshman of the Week scored 10 points before intermission and finished with 17 to lead the Eagles on the evening.
 
Tyler Lacour also made his first appearance in a game in over two months after working his way back from midseason surgery.  In limited action, the senior took a big step forward in his recovery as he scored four points right before halftime. He helped the cause with three rebounds in eight minutes as well.
 
A layup by Kyle Gray and a trey by Knuckles trimmed the Hawks' lead to 41-40 near the beginning of the second half.  But a 10-3 run by the home team prevented Concordia from moving in front and the Eagles never really found their rhythm on offense after that.
 
Gray finished with a dozen points and Brian Chambers chipped in with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.  However, CUI shot just 20 percent from downtown (4-for-20) and missed a ton of bunnies at the rim.
 
The Hawks (11-11, 10-7 PacWest) have now won four in a row.
 
The second-place Eagles had won five of their last six contests entering Thursday's conference showdown.  Their next chance to earn a victory comes Saturday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. as the second part of a women's and men's doubleheader with Notre Dame de Namur.
 
CUI's next home game is Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. when the Eagles welcome Hawai'i Hilo to CU Arena.
 
For the full CUI men's basketball schedule, click here.