FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball made a season-opening statement and started 2-0 with victories over Alaska and The Master's in a road trip to the 49th state as part of the North Star Invitational this past weekend.
Senior Keirstyn Agonias totaled 41 points through the two contests to earn MVP honors for the weekend. Sophomore transfer Brooke Samura racked up double-doubles in both games to also land on the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational All-Tournament Team.
HAWAI'I HILO 98, ALASKA 76 (FRIDAY, NOV. 14)
- Agonias poured in a career-high 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting from the field, setting a new program record for field goals in a single game. Her game shooting percentage of .928 also ranks No. 6 for a single-game program record.
- The Vulcans constantly found the open lanes to break through the Nanooks defense to finish shooting .493 as a team — higher than any game last season — while splashing 11 3-points and going 17 of 18 at the free throw line.
- Samura totaled a double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds) in her first action as a Vulcan while racking up five of the team's 17 total steals.
- KeanuMarie Huihui finished with 17 points and landed five 3-pointers (.500).
- Kaile Cruz shot 4 of 5 (.800) from beyond the arc and went 6 of 6 at the free throw line for 18 total points.
- Starters: Agonias, Huihui, Samura, Noelle Su'a-Godient, Mindy Kawaha
- Hawai'i Hilo's point total of 98 is the highest since putting up 99 in a home victory over Northwest Indian College in Nov. 2023. The last highest points total against an NCAA Division II opponent was in a 97-83 win over Chaminade back in Nov. 2009.
HAWAI'I HILO 43, THE MASTER'S 38 (SATURDAY, NOV. 15)
- The Vulcans led a majority of the way, but the Mustangs managed to tie the score at 38-all with just over three minutes remaining. Both teams jockeyed for position until Samura hit an inside floater for the game-winning basket with a minute remaining. The Master's went 0 of 4 from the field after its final bucket while committing three turnovers.
- Samura and Agonias both finished with 11 points while the former again totaled double-digit rebounds (11) for another double-double along with four steals.
- Agonias moved to No. 5 all-time in the program record books with a career total of 370 rebounds — surpassing Kamie Imai (2013-14).
- Su'a-Godinet also totaled double-digit rebounds with 10, matching a career high.
GAME NOTES
- Fairbanks, Alaska Weather: Low of -13° F; High of 5° F
- Hawai'i Hilo: 2-0 Overall (0-0 PacWest)
- Alaska: 0-1 Overall (0-0 GNAC)
- The Master's: 0-1 Overall (0-0 GSAC/NAIA)
UP NEXT
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 (6 PM) vs Alaska Anchorage (Anchorage, AK)
- Big Island Holiday Classic
- Tuesday, Nov. 25 (3 PM): Saginaw Valley State vs Gannon (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Tuesday, Nov. 25 (5 PM) vs Wingate (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Wednesday, Nov. 26 (1 PM): Saginaw Valley State vs Wingate (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Wednesday, Nov. 26 (5 PM) vs Gannon (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
PACWEST PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 11 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans finished the 2024-25 regular season tied at No. 10 in the conference standings. The 2025-26 PacWest Championships will be hosted by PLNU on March 5-7 in San Diego.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Season and individual tickets for the Vulcans' 13 home matches at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium are available for purchase at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. Season tickets are $135 ($70 for seniors 65+ and middle/high school students) and also includes admission to an additional 16 Vulcans Men's Basketball home events.
BUY LIVESTREAM PACKAGE
Video livestreaming will be available for all home events this season through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/livestream. Single-game passes are offered at $15 with a season-package price of $146.25.
