HONOLULU, Hawai'i – After charging back from a double-digit deficit, the Hawai'i Hilo men's basketball team outlasted Chaminade down the stretch for an 87-84 victory Saturday evening at McCabe Gymnasium.
Hawai'i Hilo went on early second-half runs of 7-0 and 8-0 to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. From there, the two teams traded blows until the Vulcans pulled away for good on a Darren Williams 3-pointer to make the score, 86-82, with under a minute remaining.
Chaminade pulled within three points for a chance to tie with final possession, but Hawai'i Hilo's Carlos Ramsey Jr. swatted the Silverswords' long-range attempt before it could even get started as the buzzer hit with the Vulcans securing the win.
Hawai'i Hilo went 2-0 on O'ahu with wins over HPU and Chaminade to start the Pacific West Conference season.
By The Numbers
- The Vulcans shot 33.3 percent in the first half, going 2 of 12 from beyond the arc but flipped the script to go 22 of 34 from the field — 8 of 9 from long range — the rest of the way.
- Williams poured in all 17 of his points in the second half, splashing 5 of 6 from downtown while dishing out five assists.
- Ramsey Jr. again eclipsed the 20-point mark after shooting 7 of 15 from the field.
- Kalique Mitchell scored two key baskets late in the game to help the Vulcans extend from a 68-68 score. The junior scored 12 points off the bench with six rebounds.
- Nadjrick Peat (15) and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (13) also put up double-digit scoring figures while collecting six and seven boards, respectively.
- Ross Reeves (16), Isaac Amaral-Artharee (14), Scott Ator (14) and Raazhel Watkins (12) finished with double-digit scoring figures for the Silverswords.
- Hawai'i Hilo committed just six turnovers while forcing seven takeaways. Chaminade had just two steals.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 4-1 overall, 2-0 PacWest as Chaminade moved to a 3-3 record (1-1 PacWest).
The Vulcans will return to the Big Island to host HPU on Dec. 10 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Silverswords will head to the continent for a four-game trip in northern California taking on Academy of Art on Dec. 10.
Vulcans and Silverswords will play again Dec. 31 in Hilo.
