The University of Hawaii at Hilo played the part of the little gym rat who wouldn't go away until someone bigger showed up and started pounding away as the Vulcans fell to the University of Hawaii Manoa 79-66 in the Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona.
 
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Terrell Mack led the Vulcans with 20 points while Mychael Hearn added 12.
 
“There no doubt the size was a big issue in the outcome of the game,” said UHH Head Coach Jeff Law. “Size and turnovers is what really got to us.“
 
The Vulcans (4-3) held the lead for the entire first half. Leading 7-6, Mack hit a trey that got the ball rolling. After a Rainbow freethrow, Hearn rolled in seven straight points on a 3-pointer, a lay-up and dunk.
 
Major momentum swings led to the Vulcans giving up 10 unanswered points before the half ended as they held onto a slim 34-32 lead.
 
Just as quickly as the Vulcans were outscored 15-2 over the opening four minutes of the half to fall behind 47-36, the Vulcans opened up a 13-4 spurt that narrowed that gap to a pair of points with the Rainbow Warriors leading 51-49 with 10 minutes to go.
 
“I thought our guys continued to play really but when they continue to go inside and beat you up and you don't have an answer to that,” said Law. “That's tough to handle.”
 
A 14-0 run put the game out of reach.