(photo of Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones and Darren Williams courtest of Joe Poellot/Story by Russ Blunck)

HILO, Hawai`i--Five games in five days? No problem for the UH Hilo men's basketball team who defeated Simpson on Sunday afternoon for the second time in 48 hours at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 87-71.

The Vulcans begin the season at 3-0 while the Red Hawks fell to 2-3. UHH used 26 points from Darren Williams and 24 from Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones to roll to the victory in a game where they only trailed once, 13-11 at the 11:40 mark.

Williams missed only two shots from the field (7-for-9) and was 9-for-10 at the free throw line. He also had three assists and four steals. Tait-Jones had nine rebounds to go with his 24 points. 

It was a trap game of sorts, playing a very athletic team that you just defeated two days ago, and less than 24 hours after a miracle win over a Division I team in overtime (Northern Colorado). Head coach Kaniela Aiona went to his bench often, playing 13 players with 10 of them playing ten minutes or more. 

The Vulcans jumped out to a 7-2 lead on a Williams three-pointer, but the Red Hawks roared back to take a 13-11 margin after a baskey by Drey Ubas. UH HIlo then went on a 9-0 run, fueled by five points from Williams, and Simpson would get no closer than six points after that. 

UHH led 32-23 at the break and led by 18 points twice in the second half before settling for the 87-71 final.

Donald McHeny joined Williams and Tait-Jones in double figures with 14 points, hitting 6-of-6 free throws. The Vulcans were nails at the charity stripe, converting 25 of 29 opportunities (86 percent). They also outrebounded the Red Hawks, 45-35. 

The game was a little bit sloppy at times, and the Vulcans finished with 19 turnovers overall. But they also forced 17 Simpson turnovers and held the Red Hawks to 35 percent shooting.

The Vulcans will get Monday off but then hit the court again on Tuesday, hosting Alaska Anchorage at the Civic Auditorium. Tip off is set for 7 pm.