HILO, Hawai'i – With additional bodies back in the lineup, Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball returned home to take the victory, 57-39, over Academy of Art on Thursday night in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Hawai'i Hilo held ART U to its lowest shooting performance of the season at a .210 clip, also marking as a defensive-best effort for the home team (and best since holding Chaminade to .204 in Feb. 2022). For the Urban Knights, it was their lowest field-goal percentage since going .167 against Division-I Pacific in Nov. 2022.

The Vulcans jumped out front from the get go, starting with a 12-0 advantage while going 6 of 6 at the free throw line through the first six minutes of action. They closed the opening quarter with a 7-2 run.

Freshman KeanuMarie Huihui continued to rack up the points, finishing with double-digit figures for the fifth game in a row with a total of 18.

Fifth-year senior Caiyle Kaupu returned to the lineup after missing the last four matchups (all on the road through Southern California) and put up 14 points and eight rebounds.

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 2-9 in PacWest play (4-13 overall) as Academy of Art moved to a 2-9 conference record (9-10 overall).

OTHER NOTES

• Keirstyn Agonias moved up to No. 8 in the Vulcans program record books after collecting six boards to bring her career total to 330, moving past Patience Taylor ('16-'19).
• Senior Erica Ingram made her second appearance of the season, having played in the season opener against HPU before missing the last 15 contests.
• Academy of Art made just one 3-pointer in 24 attempts (.042) — both season lows. Opposing teams are shooting just .111 from beyond the arc (6-54 3PT) through the last three games.
• Both Hawai'i Hilo and Academy of Art moved into a tie at No. 12 in the PacWest standings. Azusa Pacific, Point Loma and Vanguard stand at the top with 11-2 conference records.

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.