SANTA BARBARA, California – It was another hot shooting night in favor of the opponent as the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team saw the Yellowjackets land seven of their last eight attempts to push past for the win, 77-70, Saturday afternoon in non-conference play at the PacWest-GNAC Crossover at Westmont College.
Just a few minutes after the 14th lead change of the game, Zoar Nedd splashed his fifth 3-pointer of the afternoon at the eight-minute mark to make it just a one-point deficit for the Vulcans, but that's when Montana State Billings hit its shooting stride to close out the victory. During that same span, Hawai'i Hilo went 5 of 11 from the field.
Nedd finished with a team-high 19 points off the bench while collecting five rebounds and a pair of steals.
Charles Elzie III totaled eight assists and scored nine of his 14 points with under five minutes left in the game to give the Vulcans a fighting chance.
Hawai'i Hilo finishes the weekend 0-2 in the PacWest-GNAC Crossover after having gone 3-0 in the opening-weekend CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic against fellow GNAC members Simon Fraser, Seattle Pacific and Western Washington.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 3-2 overall as Montana State Billings moved to a 1-1 record.
The Vulcans will make a pit stop home on the Big Island before hopping over to O'ahu for an exhibition with UH Manoa (Nov. 14) and 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.
