HILO, Hawai'i – Azusa Pacific managed to put together a 12-2 run through the final eight minutes of play to complete a come-from-behind victory as the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team fell to APU, 58-53, Saturday night in Pacific West Conference action at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Early three-point shooting gave the Cougars the edge early on, but the Vulcans came storming back to tie the score at the break before holding the lead for most of the second half.
But after a Vulcans basket at the 8:10 mark to extend the lead to five points, the home team cooled off going 1 of 5 from the field and 0 of 1 at the free throw line while committing four turnovers. On the flip side, APU was able to get points to fall through the final moments, shooting 5 of 8 with 3-pointers from Nate Kleppe and Michael Saba for the game-tying and go-ahead baskets, respectively.
The Vulcans had their lowest perimeter-shooting output of the season, posting just 15.0 percent (3 of 20) in contrast to their season high of 62.5 percent (10 of 16) in their previous matchup with the Cougars. Despite the four turnovers in the final minutes of the game, the Vulcans finished with a season-second-best total of just 10 on the evening.
Kalique Mitchell led Hawai'i Hilo with 17 points (7-11 FG).
The two teams previously met Jan. 4 in California with APU narrowly escaping with the win, 87-85.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 12-9 overall record (6-6 PacWest) while Azusa Pacific moved to 6-6 in conference play (7-12 overall).
The Vulcans return for four more contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium — hosting Chaminade (Feb. 3), Biola (Feb. 8), Concordia University Irvine (Feb. 10) and HPU (March 2).
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.
Both Hawai'i Hilo and Azusa Pacific now sit tied at No. 6.
Academy of Art is at the top with a 9-2 record closely followed by Biola at 9-3.
