HILO, Hawai'i – It wasn't a photo finish, but a grind-it-out victory back home as the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team took down Dominican, 66-54, Thursday night in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
After a bit of a back-and-forth first half, Hawai'i Hilo began to pull away through the early parts of the second period with a 9-0 run to take a 46-36 advantage. From there, Carlos Ramsey Jr. scored nine of his 22 total points to lead the Vulcans.
"We defended well. Tonight, we won the rebound battle and got points in the paint so those are two keys for us," Hawai'i Hilo head coach Kaniela Aiona said. "Dominican has a style and system they play well. They play zone so it's tough and we had to prepare for it but coach Jamison and coach Kinder had a great game plan for them."
The Vulcans held the Penguins to their lowest scoring output of the season as Dominican shot just .288 from the field.
Hawai'i Hilo shot 13 of 20 at the free throw line while Dominican finished 16 for 21.
Thursday was the first game back in Hilo after a four-game road slate in Southern California that finished with one-possession results, three of them on buzzer beaters.
PEPSI NIGHT
L to R: Pepsi-Cola Representative Jordan Chernesky, Halftime Contest Winner Tessa, Hawai'i Hilo Associate AD Kula Oda
(Anthony Akau / Hawai'i Hilo Sports Information)
It was Welcome Back Students night sponsored by Pepsi as any attending University of Hawai'i at Hilo or Hawai'i Community College student received a free Pepsi-brand drink.
Fans were also treated to a halftime contest with four contestants battling it out for a Pepsi-branded surfboard.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 11-6 overall record (5-3 PacWest) while Dominican moved to 2-5 in conference play (5-10 overall). The two teams will meet again Feb. 19 in San Rafael, California.
The Vulcans will continue their current homestand with six more contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, hosting Academy of Art next Monday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.
PATH TO PACWEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The top six teams at the end of the regular season will make it to San Diego for the 2023-24 PacWest Conference Tournament set for March 7-9 at Point Loma's Golden Gymnasium.
Hawai'i Hilo is at a two-way tie for the No. 4 spot while Dominican is at No. 8.
Point Loma is at the top with a 6-1 record.
