HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The Vulcans were unable to recover from an 8-1 scoring run by the Seawolves through the latter portion of the opening quarter as the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team fell to Alaska Anchorage, 78-50, Saturday morning in season-opening non-conference action at the PacWest-GNAC Crossover at HPU's The Shark Tank.
Hawai'i Hilo never led during the contest but made a strong third-quarter push on pairs of 3-pointers each by Kaile Cruz and Jeniece Harmon along with eight points from Keirstyn Agonias to cut the deficit to single digits at the one-minute mark.
Alaska Anchorage re-extended its lead in the fourth period as the Vulcans were unable to catch them.
"We showed a lot of heart fighting back at the end, but unfortunately when we don't play with the energy needed, there's a big gap between our best and our low. We need to be more consistent and it starts in practice," Vulcans head coach David Kaneshiro said.
The Vulcans were outrebounded, 36-25, and committed 22 turnovers to UAA's 16.
Harmon led with 15 points while Cruz followed with 11. Agonias, Kamalu Kamakawiwoole and Tovale Tupouata each totaled eight points.
2023 PacWest-GNAC Crossover All-Tournament Team
MVP: Jazzpher Evans, Alaska Anchorage
Jeniece Harmon, Hawai'i Hilo
Tori Hollingshead, Alaska Anchorage
Chloe Williams, Montana State Billings
Haylie Masaki, HPU
Kola Bad Bear, Montana State Billings
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to an 0-2 record as Alaska Anchorage moved to 2-1 overall.
The Vulcans will be back in action next Saturday, Nov. 18 for their home opener against Multnomah at 6 p.m. in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
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.
