HILO, Hawai'i – A late scoring surge by the visiting Urban Knights put the score out of reach as Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball fell to Academy of Art, 72-66, Thursday night in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
It was a back-and-forth battle between two teams vying for position in the upper section of the PacWest standings, and with under six minutes to go, ART U managed to put together a 7-0 run to up the gap to an eight-point lead.
Now with under three minutes left, the Vulcans responded with an 8-3 scoring spurt to make it a 69-66 deficit with a half-minute remaining. ART U added three more free throws as the Vulcans came up empty on their final three shot attempts.
Hawai'i Hilo went 21 of 26 at the free throw line (.808) and landed nine 3-pointers but at a .290 clip, finishing below .300 for just the fourth time this season.
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 6-5 in PacWest play (13-8 overall) as Academy of Art moved to a 8-3 conference record (12-6 overall).
OTHER NOTES
- Jake Kosakowski had a team-high 14 points with four 3-pointers to bring his Vulcans career total to 118, surpassing both Russ Harper ('92, '94) and Vince Alvarado ('07-'08) to move to No. 6 all-time in the program records.
- Hawai'i Hilo remained at No. 4 in the PacWest standings. Point Loma is at the top at 12-1. Academy of Art is No. 2.
UP NEXT: Pepsi Student Appreciation Night – Saturday, Feb. 1 (5:30 PM) vs Menlo (Hilo, Hawai'i / Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
DE LUZ CHEVROLET HALFTIME CONTEST GIVEAWAY: De Luz Chevrolet is giving four Vulcans fans a chance to win a new 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss courtesy De Luz Chevrolet. During halftime of both the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball and Men's Basketball season finales on March 1 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, four selected participants will have the opportunity to shoot their way to a brand new truck. SIgn-ups are only available in person at each of the next Vulcans Basketball home doubleheaders (Feb. 1, 6, 10 and 13). Each person is allowed one entry per game date. Selected participants will be notified between Feb. 17-26 and must be available to attend on March 1. More details, rules and information available at HiloAthletics.com/truck.
FLYING HAWAIIAN FOUNDATION
To honor the legacy of former Vulcans Basketball player J. Kimo Keiter-Charles, Flying Hawaiian Foundation was established in 2022 with the goal of supporting the Big Island community such as Hawai'i Hilo Athletics, Youth Athletic and Academic Programs and conservation of the island's natural resources.
Keiter-Charles passed away in 2020 at 38 years old from complications due to pancreatic and liver cancer treatments.
The Hilo High School graduate played for the Vulcans from 2001-2005, helping Hawai'i Hilo make two NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2000, he helped the Vikings capture the boys basketball state championship.
Thursday night, Flying Hawaiian Foundation made a donation of $3,600 to the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball program.
More information is available on the Flying Hawaiian Foundation Facebook page.
Mahalo to board members Ryan Hogue, Gary Ahu Jr., Chris Keiter and Cecile Walsh for their continuing support of Vulcans Basketball and the Big Island community.
