UPDATED WITH COACH AIONA QUOTES
(Photo by Andrew Lee of Hawaii Media Source)

BOX SCORE 

Despite the final score, there was much to like about Hawaii Hilo head coach Kaniela Aiona and his Vulcans' debut on Saturday night against sister school Hawaii Manoa.

For one, it doesn't count on UHH's or Aiona's record. The 89-66 loss is an exhibition for the Vulcans, and a non-conference counter for the Rainbow Warriors. 

And considering it was UH Hilo's first action of any kind this season, there were some bright spots including freshman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' double-double of 18 points, ten rebounds, and three steals.

"The primary feeling tonight is one of gratitude for the opportunity to finally compete," said the first-year coach after the game. "We are very appreciative of Coach (Eran) Ganot and the top down support from the entire University of Hawai'i community for making this happen.

"We always want to come out on the right side of the scoreboard no matter the situation or opponent , but most importantly we now have a starting point."  

Tait-Jones, a 6-foot-6 freshman from New Zealand, scored on a variety of drives to the basket, converting 7-of-12 shots. Sasa Vuksanovic added 14 points despite playing in foul trouble, and junior transfer Darren Williams added 13 points.

Justin Webster led Hawai`i with 15 points and Casdon Jardine added 13 points and 10 boards. The Rainbow Warriors are now 2-0 on the season heading into a Dec. 27 game verses Cal Poly.

The Vulcans were able to get 12 players into the game, including four freshman and six newcomers overall. "It was great to get all 12 guys out there because we have a number of guys who just need some game experience together," Aiona added.

As could be expected, rust played a role for the Vulcans early. They missed seven of their first eight shots and trailed by double digits (ten points) at the halfway point of the first half.

But the visitors battled back, cutting the lead to five points twice on baskets by Williams inside the final two minutes. The hosts then pulled away again and pushed the lead back up to ten points at the break (37-27).

UH Hilo stayed within reach despite shooting only 33 percent in the first half and hitting only one trey in eight attempts. UHH also had a rusty 11 turnovers and were out-boarded by nine by the taller Rainbow Warriors (27-18). Tait-Jones led UHH in the first 20 minutes with six points and six rebounds.

In the second half, the Rainbow Warriors used a Justin Hemsley dunk, a Webster three-pointer and a rebound basket by Jardine in the first 50 seconds (7-0 run) to quickly take a 44-27 lead. They would stretch that margin to 23 points (58-35) before the Vulcans put together its best run of the night (9-2) to pull within 15 points on Greg Walter's basket (62-47).

That's as close as UH Hilo would get as the Rainbow Warriors quickly answered with an 8-0 run.

The Vulcans found their shooting form only in bursts, showing a final stat line of 37 percent accuracy from the field, 59 percent from the free throw line and they were 4-of-20 from behind the arch. They were also outrebounded 53-28. 

In short, nothing completely shocking for your first basketball game in nine and a half months and a limited practice schedule thanks to COVID-19.

"We did a nice job of getting in the paint, earning free throws, and playing unselfish," Aiona added. "Manoa did a nice job of imposing their will at the rim. We new we would have both bright spots and areas to improve after tonight. I'm very excited to get back on the practice floor With this group.

"I'm proud of our men and how they are handling themselves in these tough times. We are anxious to get back into the gym to continue to improve."