OAKLAND, California – The Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team started its final road trip of the regular season with a 100-86 defeat to Academy of Art Saturday evening in Pacific West Conference action at Laney College Gymnasium.

ART U managed to start the game with a 9-2 scoring advantage and seemingly never looked back. A few minutes later, the Vulcans brought the game back to within two points on a Kalique Mitchell takeaway with the dunk in transition, but the Urban Knights would manage to double up on the scoring the rest of the half, 32-16, as they went into halftime holding a 45-27 lead on the way to victory.

The Vulcans were outrebounded at a 39-19 clip.

Mitchell led Hawai'i Hilo with five steals and 10 points.

The two teams previously met in Hilo in mid-January with the Urban Knights winning, 80-63.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 15-10 overall record (9-7 PacWest) while Academy of Art moved to 12-4 in conference play (17-7 overall).

The Vulcans continue on the road against Dominican (Feb. 19), Fresno Pacific (Feb. 22) and Westmont (Feb. 24) before returning for one last home contest against HPU on March 2 for Senior Night.

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 moved to the No. 5 spot.

Point Loma and Academy of Art have both clinched two of the postseason berths, with PLNU at No. 1 and ART U currently at No. 2.