HONOLULU, Hawai'i – A burst in the early parts of the second half put Concordia University Irvine in position to steal a win from Chaminade late Wednesday evening. 

Unfortunately, the Silverswords were able to secure a few extra possessions and did just enough to escape with a 69-62 victory.

The Eagles trailed 34-30 at halftime before the game moved into a second gear. Recently named PacWest Player of the Week Wayne Arnold kept CUI within striking distance after the Silverswords raced out to a quick 7-0 advantage.  Entering this week as the nation's top scorer at the NCAA DII level (27.7 ppg), Arnold scored 15 of his game-high 27 points in the first half.

The Colorado connection of Jalen Sanders and Kayle Knuckles provided a spark to open the second half.  Sanders and Knuckles each drained a clutch three-pointer to ignite a 13-4 run that put Concordia in front 43-38.

However, the 'Swords regrouped and built up a six-point advantage with just under eight minutes to play.  Sanders tracked down an offensive rebound and then set a pick to free up Joshua Caston for a clean look at a trey. Caston canned it to pull CUI within 53-50.

With the game ratcheting up a notch in intensity level, the teams traded baskets down the stretch. An Arnold basket tied the game at 58, and then just a few dribbles later two free throws by the Compton Dominguez High School product knotted the game again at 60.

Both teams clamped down on defense after that, but Chaminade finished the game on a 9-2 run to close it out.

Concordia forced 14 Chaminade turnovers and was able to convert those mistakes into 17 points. 

The Silverswords (3-4, 1-0 PacWest) countered by taking care of the boards and outrebounding the Eagles 47-30. Knuckles and Cameron Fini together led the Eagles with six rebounds apiece.

Arnold continued his streak of scoring at least 22 points in each of his first eight games as a Concordia Eagle. Caston added 15 points and three steals.

The Eagles (4-4, 1-1 PacWest) face Hawaii Hilo on Friday, Dec. 3 at 9:30 p.m. PT to close out their three-game road trip.

The next home game is Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. against Academy of Art following the women's game at 5 p.m.

**Please note that the CUI men's basketball game vs. Antelope Valley has been canceled. CLICK HERE for that story. That game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at CU Arena.**

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's basketball schedule