HILO, Hawai'i – Game No. 2 of the 2023 Big Island Holiday Classic featured the home team Vulcans as they clawed their way back and forth but ultimately were unable to catch the visiting Angelo State Rambelles, falling, 69-62, Saturday afternoon at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
A 10-0 run in the latter half of the third quarter propelled the Vulcans toward striking distance, but they just weren't able to overtake the 'Belles as ASU re-extended itself each time. Hawai'i Hilo made it a 44-42 score after a Jazmine Soto steal led to a third-chance Jeniece Harmon 3-pointer, but Angelo State padded its lead to six points heading into the final period.
The Vulcans struck quickly to cut the deficit in half at 48-45, but the Rambelles again added on to take a nine-point advantage all the way to zeroes on the clock.
STATS SHEET
Harmon led Hawai'i Hilo with 16 points (9-12 FT), seven rebounds and six assists.
Hawai'i Hilo made 19 trips to the free throw line after taking just six and five shots, respectively, in its last two games. ASU had 20 free-throw attempts.
The Vulcans started the game shooting 1 of 9 from the field — finishing the quarter with three made-baskets and in a 12-point hole. An 8-0 run through the middle portion of the second quarter brought Hawai'i Hilo back within one of its many striking-distance opportunities on the afternoon.
Angelo State was led in scoring by Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Sawyer Lloyd (14 points), both of whom were named to the All-Big Island Classic Team. The duo also put up 30 and 19 points, respectively, in Friday's Game 1 of the Big Island Classic against Bridgewater State.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 2-5 overall record (0-2 Pacific West Conference) while Angelo State moved to 9-4 (3-1 Lone Star Conference).
The Big Island Holiday Classic continues Sunday afternoon at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium with Hawai'i Hilo taking on Bridgewater State at 2 p.m. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/BIC.
The Vulcans will then return to PacWest action and close out the calendar year on the road in Southern California at Biola on Dec. 30.
BIG ISLAND HOLIDAY CLASSIC
Winter 2022 marked the return of the Big Island Holiday Classic, bringing many men's and women's collegiate basketball programs to the Big Island of Hawai'i for competition and fun at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The event, put on by TItleTown Events (previously Malika Sport Tours) and hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, is a modern reiteration of the Big Island Invitational Tournament from the 1990s, which featured many NCAA Division I programs with the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon State, Iowa State, Arkansas, Creighton, Purdue, Stanford and UConn among others.
The Big Island Classic moniker was also previously resurrected in winter 2016 when current Hawai'i Hilo men's basketball head coach Kaniela Aiona was at the helm of the Menlo College men's hoops program where they played games at Kealakehe High School on the west side of the island.
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.
