Box Score (photo by Rick Ogata)

BOX SCORE

HILO, Hawai`i--It was a familiar pattern and scenario for UH Hilo during their 76-61 loss to No. 2 nationally ranked Hawai`i Pacific on Thursday afternoon at Vulcan Gymnasium.

The Vulcans battled the unbeaten Sharks tough, but for every run that they made, Hawaii Pacific had an answer. The final result was HPU's 36th consecutive win, improving to 11-0 on the season, with the Vulcans dropping to 4-6.

It was Senior Day for UH Hilo, and with that they celebrated another milestone for Kim Schmelz. She cracked the 1,000 point barrier, now at 1.003 for her career. She was celebrated after the game, along with Sara Shimizu and Malia Lee.

Shimizu finished with 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Lee had a double-double with 11 points and ten boards. Jenna Waki had 12 points for the Vulcans, and Mandi Kawaha had double digit totals with 12 points, ten rebounds and four assists.

Amy Baum led the Sharks with 21 points and broke an HPU school mark by going 14-for-14 at the free throw line. Olivia West had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Sharks and Alysha Marcucci finished with 15.

For brief interludes, the Vulcans hoped that they would celebrate a major upset, but the Sharks were just too good.

The Vulcans were tied early in the game (5-5) after two Shimizu baskets to open the game. But HPU went on the first of many runs, this one at 9-0 and had a 20-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

UHH then went on a 6-0 run to start the second quarter to cut the lead to four points, but HPU answered at 7-0 and would lead 36-29 at the half. In the third quarter, UHH would be within five points twice, and were just six down (43-37) when Schmelz connected for points number 1,000 and 1,001. 

But the Sharks then went on a 9-0 blitz and led at the end of the third, 55-43. In the fourth the Vulcans would get to within eight, but in fouling Baum the game was put away. With Baum leading the way, the Sharks were 27-of-31 at the free throw line.

UH Hilo has their two final games of the 2020-21 season next Friday and Saturday at Chaminade. 

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