HILO, Hawai'i– Freshman Max Kunnert led the Vulcans with a season-high of 25 points in the Vulcans' 86-78 win over Dominican in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Kunnert was all over the court securing season-highs in four categories. He made a season-high of eight field goals and landed a season-high of seven three-pointers which largely contributed to his season-high of 25 points. Kunnert also had a season-high of three steals to cap an all around outstanding performance.
The Vulcans will extend their winning streak to six games, improving 10-4 overall and 6-1 in the Pacific West Conference while the Penguins fall 5-11 overall and 2-7 in the PacWest.
The Penguins hit the floor hot, leaving the Vulcans trailing for the majority of the half. The Vulcans ended up cooling off the Penguins, surpassing them in the last minute until halftime. Freshman Donald McHenry made a layup that gave the Vulcans the go ahead point of 38-37. Quickly after, Max Kunnert stole the ball which he passed over to Darren Williams who got fouled and was awarded with a successful free throw that solidified the score heading into halftime UHH up 39-37.
Freshman Max Kunnert sank in the first basket of the second half, landing a nice three-pointer to increase UHH's lead, 42-37.
The Penguins responded quickly, taking the lead back from the Vulcans which they held for a little over five minutes. DU broke away by as much as seven points before the UHH offense found their groove again. It was a steal and then good break-a-way basket by Darren Williams that shifted the momentum UH Hilo's way.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones scored the leading basket with two successful free throws (64-63) and then Steven Hubbell stole the ball from the Penguins' possession, setting up Jamie Strong who downed his first three-pointer of the game (67-63).
The Vulcans slowly increased their lead, breaking away with their largest lead of the game at 83-73 with 36 seconds to spare. The Red and Black ended the game with three good free throws resulting in the final 86-78 score.
Vulcans Offensive Leaders
Kunnert led the offensive pursuit with 25 points followed by Tait-Jones and Williams with 18 each. McHenry was also in the double-digits with 11 points.
The Vulcans accumulated 18 assists with both Williams and McHenry dishing out five.
Strong Defense Delivers the Win
UHH held defensive pressure on DU, causing 21 turnovers where the Vulcans were able to capitalize on and score 26 points.
The Vulcans rattled the Penguins with 10 steals by five different players: Kunnert (3), Williams (3), McHenry (2), Tait-Jones (1), and Hubbell (1).
UH Hilo also had two blocks with Tait-Jones and Strong knocking down one a piece.
Up Next For the Vulcans
The Vulcans will hit the road next where they will face Azusa Pacific, Concordia Irvine, Point Loma and Biola. The Vulcans are currently No. 1 in the PacWest Conference standings and will have to defend that standing with 11 road games.
UHH's first game of the road trip is Saturday, Jan. 22 against the Cougars in the Felix Event Center at 2:30 p.m. HST.
To view the men's basketball schedule, CLICK HERE.
