LANGLEY, Canada – It was a slowly-built climb, but the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team battled through a 12-point-halftime deficit to claim victory on opening night over Simon Fraser, 65-57, Friday evening at the Langley Events Centre as part of the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic.

Kalique Mitchell led the team with 21 points as the Vulcans overcame an 0-of-14 shooting start that allowed SFU to take a 12-0 lead through the first 10 minutes of action. The senior collected 14 rebounds for a double-double while also making 15 trips to the free throw line (.466).

Mitchell shot 5 of 7 through the early portion of the second half. Providing sparks off the bench, Jarin Edwards rallied for nine second-half points to go along with Cameron Wall's go-ahead four-piece to will the Vulcans ahead at 50-49 with just over four minutes remaining.

From there, Hawai'i Hilo won the turnover battle down the stretch, 4-1, as Carlos Ramsey Jr. — who initially got the offense going with nine first-half points — clamped down with crucial one-on-one transition defense for the poke away to maintain a one-possession lead with 60 ticks remaining. A Mitchell second-chance bucket and four team free throws sealed the victory.

STATS SHEET

• Hawai'i Hilo shot 36.2 percent (7-30 FG) from the field, 15.8 percent (3-19 3FG) from beyond the arc and 55.6 percent (20-36 FT) at the charity stripe.
• In the first half, the Vulcans went 0 of 11 from the three-point line as the Red Leafs shot 0 for 5 at the free-throw line. Simon Fraser led, 31-19, at halftime.
• Starters for the Vulcans were Carlos Ramsey Jr., Charles Elzie III, Kalique Mitchell, Zoar Nedd and Jake Kosakowski.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 1-0 overall as Simon Fraser moved to an 0-1 record.

The Vulcans will continue in British Columbia at the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic with a short turnaround for Saturday's matchup against Seattle Pacific set for 11:30 a.m. (2:30 p.m. Pacific Time).

Hawai'i Hilo will conclude Sunday against Western Washington. Please note time zone differences will be adjusted early Sunday morning with the end of Daylight Savings Time.

The Vulcans will then head to Southern California for contests against Saint Martin's (Nov. 10) and Montana State Billings (Nov. 11) before competing on O'ahu against UH Manoa (Nov. 14) and 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.

PRESEASON RECOGNITION

The Vulcans garnered 90 points to slot in a No. 3 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released at the end of October.

Hawai'i Hilo finished last season at 17-9 overall with a 13-7 conference record, good for No. 4 in the regular-season standings to earn a trip to the postseason tournament. The Vulcans fell to Biola in the PacWest Championships First Round.

Among the team's eight returnees is 2022-23 PacWest Conference Newcomer of the Year and All-PacWest Second Team selection Carlos Ramsey Jr., who was voted to the 2023-24 All-PacWest Preseason Team.

The Vulcans added five transfers and one freshman for head coach Kaniela Aiona's fourth season.

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. Official announcement to come soon.

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. Official announcement to come soon.