Vulcan basketball stars Kupaa Harrison and Elisha Duplechan have been named the UH Hilo Pepsi Athletes of the Week for their outstanding performances over the weekend at the Hoops in Hawai`i D2 Power Invitational at the Hawai`i Convention Center. The Vulcans defeated Saint Martin's in the opener (77-70) and then lost a heartbreaker to Alaska Anchorage (66-64).

For the second week in a row, senior Vulcan forward Kupaa Harrison earned the Pepsi Athlete of the Week award. At the tournament on Oahu, Harrison hit for a career-high 30 points in a narrow loss to Alaska Anchorage, while also pulling down six rebounds. He had 15 points the night before in the win over Saint Martin's, also grabbing 10 rebounds with four assists and four steals. In the two games, he made hay at the free throw line, nailing 17 of his 20 attempts, including 14-of-17 against the Seawolves. He was named to the Hoops in Hawaii D2 Power Invitational All-Tournament team. 

Transfer guard Elisha Duplechan had a breakout weekend for the Vulcans during a win over Saint Martin's and a near upset of Alaska Anchorage. The Nebraska-Omaha transfer had 21 points in the victory over the Saints, hitting 8-of-11 shots from the field and all three of his three-point attempts. He also had six steals against the team that reached the NCAA regional final last year. Versus UAA, who is 9-4 on the season, the 5-foot-11 guard from Sacramento had 19 points. After missing the first three games of the season, he is now averaging 11 points a game.

The Vulcans now take time off for the Holidays, returning to action on January 2 versus Fresno Pacific. That game will kick off a five-game homestand for UH Hilo.