HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo men's basketball team bounced back from its first Pacific West Conference loss to clobber Concordia University Irvine, 84-64, Saturday evening at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones totaled 28 points and had things going quick with two baskets and a foul for a three-point play for seven early points as the Vulcans piled on with a 27-14 lead through the first 10 minutes.
Hawai'i Hilo maintained control through halftime, and as CUI started to pick up steam to make it just a 10-point game early in the second period, Tait-Jones responded with a 6-0 run to extend the Vulcans far out in front for the eventual victory.
By The Numbers
- Tait-Jones shot 12 of 16 (75.0 percent) with 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
- Darren Williams splashed five 3-pointers and dished out six assists to tally 17 points.
- Kalique Mitchell fell shy of a double-double with 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-4 FT) and nine boards.
- Carlos Ramsey Jr. was the last Vulcan to score double-digit figures, finishing with 11 to go along with five rebounds.
- Hawai'i Hilo was a perfect 5 of 5 from beyond the arc in the first half as it finished with a 57.1 percent mark. CUI shot 4 of 22 (18.2 percent) with just one 3-pointer made in the second half.
- Lance Coleman II (13), Bryce Fitzgerald (12) and Jackson Tucker (11) finished with double-digit points in order for the Golden Eagles.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 9-2 overall (5-1 PacWest) as Concordia University Irvine moved to a 4-10 record (3-6 PacWest).
The Vulcans will be back in action Monday, Jan. 9 for a hoops doubleheader against Dominican (8-6 overall, 5-3 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 Golden Eagles will return home to host Point Loma Nazarene on Jan. 14.
Hawai'i Hilo and CUI will match up again Feb. 18 in Irvine, California.
