University of Hawai`i Hilo freshman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones had an impressive debut weekend, helping the Vulcans to a pair of wins over Hawai`i Pacific and also earning the Pacific West Conference Hawai`i Pod Player of the Week.

The native of Wellington, New Zealand totaled 41 points and 20 rebounds in the pair of conference victories. In Saturday's 79-71 triumph, he had 21 points, nine rebounds and two steals, converting 9-of-16 shots from the field. The following afternoon in the 82-77 win over the Sharks, he hit double-double numbers with 20 points and 11 boards. He also had a pair of assists, tossed in 8-of-14 shots and rained home 3-of-4 from three-point range. 17 of his 20 points came in the second half to help stave off a Hawai`i Pacific comeback.

Last month, in an exhibition game that didn't count towards his season statistics, he also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds against Hawai`i-Manoa.

Tait-Jones and the Vulcans will now get a couple of weeks to prepare for Chaminade. UHH will travel to Honolulu to take on the Silverswords on Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31.