HILO, Hawai'i–Darren Williams led the court with 28 points in the Vulcans 97-89 win over the Eagles in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Williams put on an all-around outstanding offensive performance shooting 8-for-14 in the field, 3-for-6 behind the arc, and 9-for-10 at the charity stripe. Williams also contributed five assists and five rebounds, three of which were offensive.
 
UH Hilo is now 8-4 overall and 4-1 in the Pacific West Conference while Biola fell 11-3 and 5-2 in the PacWest. 
 
Strong offense was the common theme for the Vulcans tonight. As a team they shot over 50 percent in the field, 92 percent at the free throw line, and 46 percent behind the arc. 
 
"Proud of how well our men played connected and aggressive today against a very good Biola team," said head coach Kaniela Aiona. "We shared the ball well offensively and played our game. Biola made a good run as expected, but our guys stayed poised, handled pressure and made free throws."
 
Williams gave UHH the initial lead scoring the first six points of the game. From there the Vulcans played a competitive first half, but were able to break away with an eight-point lead when it came time for halftime (47-39).
 
Six minutes into the second half the Vucans obtained their largest lead of the game with an 18-point gap (67-49). They had four three-point baskets in those first six minutes by Max Kunnert (who had two), Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, and Willams.
 
The Eagles managed to trim the Vulcans lead to as much as four points (93-89) but were unable to penetrate UHH's defensive wall.
 
The Vulcans scored their final four points of the night off of four good free throws, two by Donald McHenry and Willams respectively. 
 
Two freshmen trailed behind Williams in points. McHenry tallied 20 and Tait-Jones was just behind him with 17. Tait-Jones picked up his third double-double of the season with 13 rebounds. Both McHenry and Tait-Jones also snagged two steals. 
 
The Vulcans play next Thursday, Jan. 13 against Academy of Art at 7:30pm HST in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. 
 
CLICK HERE, for the men's basketball schedule.