SANTA BARBARA, California – It was a heavyweight slugfest with both teams jabbing back and forth down the stretch, but Saint Martin's managed to edge the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team, 91-80, Friday evening in non-conference action at the PacWest-GNAC Crossover at Westmont College.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half, but the Saints narrowly held the advantage shooting 55.9 percent while the Vulcans went 14 of 28 (50.0 percent) from the field.
Midway through the second half, the Vulcans made a push to cut the deficit down to just five points but SMU managed to shoot 8 for 8 for 18 points through the next four-minute span to keep Hawai'i Hilo at bay.
Carlos Ramsey Jr. led with 25 points followed by Kalique Mitchell with 17. Zoar Nedd added in 14 points off the bench as Nadjrick Peat saw his first action of the season in the starting lineup.
The Saints were voted as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference's preseason No. 1 team.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 3-1 overall as Saint Martin's moved to a 3-1 record.
The Vulcans will conclude their season-opening road trip Saturday against Montana State Billings at 11 a.m. (1 p.m. PT) as part of the PacWest-GNAC Crossover at Westmont College's Murchison Gym. Note that Daylight Savings Time ended last Sunday and adjustments for time zone differences may be needed.
Hawai'i Hilo will take a pit stop home on the Big Island before hopping over to O'ahu for an exhibition with UH Manoa (Nov. 14) then starting PacWest Conference play against Chaminade (Nov. 16).
First home match is set for Saturday, Nov. 25 against Northwest Indian College at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
(UPDATE 11/14/13): The previously mentioned Vulcan Madness will no longer be happening.
STARTING IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
The Vulcans opened the 2023-24 season at the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic last week in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Hawai'i Hilo went 3-0 with wins over Simon Fraser, Seattle Pacific and Western Washington.
Carlos Ramsey Jr., Kalique Mitchell and Charles Elzie III were named to the CCA Division II Canadian Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament First Team.
SEASON TICKETS
Single-game and season tickets are now available to be purchased online through Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Athletics' recently launched online ticket platform in partnership with AudienceView Campus.
The 2023-24 slate will feature 28 total home contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium with a package price of $130 for adults and $65 for seniors (ages 65-plus) and middle/high school students.
Both can be accessed at HiloAthletics.com/tickets.
VIDEO STREAM PACKAGES
The Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team will have 14 home games available to be viewed online through our video stream broadcasts in partnership with Out of the Sea Media Arts Inc.
Single-game viewing will be priced at $10 with a season-package offering of $105.
More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/LiveStream.
