SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ men's basketball team couldn't slow the inside game of Hope International and it led to a 67-49 home loss on Saturday afternoon in Golden State Athletic Conference action.
 
OUAZ (4-20, 1-13 GSAC) allowed 48 points in the paint as Hope International (17-8, 8-6) shot 48.4 percent from the field to complete a season sweep of the Spirit.
 
The first 10 minutes of the game saw the visitors race out to a 12-0 lead before the Spirit countered with an 11-0 run to get back within 14-13 with 10:10 to play in the half. The Royals were able to take a 38-26 lead into halftime by closing the period with a 15-7 run over the final 6:37.
 
OUAZ would get as close as 14 with 9:20 to play in the second half before HIU put the game away by scoring 15 of the next 17 points to lead 67-40 with 2:20 remaining.
 
The shots weren't there for OUAZ as they made just 26.9 percent for the game. The Spirit were 5 of 24 from beyond the arc and they got outrebounded 49-29.
 
Marcus Williams scored 12 points to lead the Spirit. Tanner Riley added eight and Brian King Jr. finished with six.
 
HIU had three players score in double figures with Jonathan Guzman leading the group with 19.
 
OUAZ will travel to northern California next week for a pair of GSAC games. They are at No. 17 William Jessup on Thursday and then at Menlo on February 23.