HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo men's basketball team ended the 2022 year with a bang after topping Chaminade, 103-91, Saturday afternoon in Pacific West Conference action at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Vulcans shot 64.6 percent from the field, including a 21-of-27 second-half performance, as seven players finished with double-digit scoring figures.
Chaminade held an early lead through the first 10 minutes of play, but Hawai'i Hilo flipped the score with a 17-2 run to take a 30-22 advantage with under seven minutes left in the first half.
The Silverswords battled right back with an 8-0 run to make it a one-point affair, but the Vulcans responded with an 8-2 scoring streak to extend their lead on the way to taking a six-point edge into halftime.
Midway through the second half, Chaminade again went on an 8-0 run to make it a two-point game, and the Vulcans answered the call again with 10 consecutive points to extend themselves for good.
With the victory, Hawai'i Hilo swept the season series against both Oahu teams to claim three points in the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge.
By The Numbers
- Darren Williams led the Vulcans in scoring with 21 points, three 3-pointers, sevens assists and one block.
- Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones tallied 17 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
- Carlos Ramsey Jr. totaled 13 points (6-9 FG), eight rebounds and three steals.
- In his first career start, Jarin Edwards racked up 15 points (6-9 FG), three 3-pointers, six assists, five boards and one steal.
- Nadjrick Peat scored 12 points (6-8 FG), six rebounds and four blocks.
- Drew Yezbak splashed three 3-pointers to total 11 points off the bench.
- Kalique Mitchell contributed 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
- Isaac Amaral-Artharee had a game-high 27 points with three 3-pointers. Braden Olsen followed with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 8-1 overall (4-0 Pacific West Conference) as Chaminade moved to a 5-8 record (1-5 PacWest).
The Vulcans will be back in action Tuesday, Jan. 3 for a hoops doubleheader against Point Loma Nazarene (6-8 overall, 4-2 PacWest). The women will tip off at 5 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Silverswords will return home to host Champion Christian College (6-1 overall) out of NCCAA on Jan. 2 before returning to PacWest play.
