HONOLULU, Hawai'i – With the score whittled down to just a two-point affair early in the fourth quarter, No. 15 Montana State Billings was able to string together consecutive baskets as the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team fell to the preseason nationally-ranked Yellowjackets, 63-51, Friday afternoon in the official season opener as part of the PacWest-GNAC Crossover at HPU's The Shark Tank.
The Vulcans came out strong at the start of each half, holding the Yellowjackets to shoot just 20.0 and 11.8 percent from the field in the first and third periods, respectively. However, Montana State Billings posted 47.4 percent and 60.0 percent shooting percentages for the second and fourth quarters, respectively.
"We executed a lot better than our exhibition last week so that was good to see. I think as the game wore on, our offense moved better. Some good stuff, but there's a lot to work on," Vulcans 14th-year head coach David Kaneshiro said. "Just try to come back tomorrow and be ready to go."
Hawai'i Hilo finished with a 42.0 field-goal percentage, including going 5 of 16 (31.3 percent) from beyond the arc. Jeniece Harmon led with 16 points off the bench followed by 12 points from Keirstyn Agonias.
Agonias' layup at the 9:23 mark of the final period made it a 41-39 deficit for the Vulcans, but Montana State Billings was able to find its groove and went on a 16-2 run over the next four minutes.
Kaile Cruz splashed consecutive 3-pointers with under five minutes remaining to keep Hawai'i Hilo within striking distance, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Vulcans fell in their season opener.
Kola Bad Bear totaled 21 points (8-16 FG) for the Yellowjackets as Chloe Williams and Shayla Montague each added 12 points.
Starters for Hawai'i Hilo were Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Kaile Cruz, Melanie Hiu, Keirstyn Agonias and Noelle Su'a-Godinet.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to an 0-1 record as Montana State Billings moved to 3-1 overall.
The Vulcans will be back in action Saturday morning against Alaska Anchorage to complete play at the PacWest-GNAC Crossover. The first home game is set for Saturday, Nov. 18 against Multnomah.
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.
