AZUSA, California – Another firefight with another frantic finish, but this time the Vulcans came up on the short end of the stick as the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team fell to Azusa Pacific, 87-85, Thursday night in Pacific West Conference action at the Felix Event Center.
The Vulcans charged back from a 10-point second-half deficit before trading blows down the stretch to a tied score with just over a minute remaining. Kalique Mitchell converted on two free throws to make it an 85-85 ballgame, but on the ensuing possession, APU's Nate Kleppe was able to sneak his way unguarded under the basket for the easy go-ahead layup.
After a few empty possessions, Azusa Pacific had the opportunity to seal the game but Nadjrick Peat clubbed a Cougars shot attempt away for the rejection to set Hawai'i Hilo up with the ball in its hands with single-digit ticks to go. However, Charles Elzie III's three-point attempt came up empty as APU slipped away with the win.
Elzie III led with a season-high 26 points (8-13 FG, 8-10 FT).
Coming out of the halftime intermission, APU managed to put in three consecutive 3-pointers as part of a 13-4 run through the first five minutes to jump ahead on the scoreboard. But from there on out, the Vulcans flipped the switch to shoot 12 of 16 (.750) the rest of the way including 5 of 5 from beyond the arc with key consecutive 3-pointers from Jarin Edwards, Zoar Nedd and Charles Higby Jr. — a freshman who was seeing his first significant action of the season.
The Vulcans committed eight second-half turnovers to just two from the Cougars.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 10-5 overall record (4-2 PacWest) while Azusa Pacific moved to 2-3 in conference play (3-9 overall). The two teams will meet again Jan. 27 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Vulcans wrap up their Southern California road slate this Saturday against Point Loma at 2 p.m. (4 p.m. PT) in the Golden Gymnasium.
Hawai'i Hilo will return to the Big Island to host Dominican (Jan. 11) and Academy of Art (Jan. 15). Next Thursday night's matchup will be "Welcome Back Students" night sponsored by Pepsi. Attending University of Hawai'i at Hilo and Hawai'i Community College students will receive a free Pepsi-brand drink with opportunities to win prizes at halftime.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE WEST
In the latest D2CSC Division II Week 6 Media Poll released Dec. 18, Hawai'i Hilo came in at No. 5 in the West Region.
Saint Martin's (ranked No. 4 in the national poll) came in at the top spot followed by Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State East Bay.
PacWest Conference mates Point Loma and HPU also landed in the region's top 10 at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.
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.
