LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball fell to Angelo State, 70-59, on Sunday afternoon to close second-day action at the Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic at the South Point Arena.

The Vulcans battled back and forth early on but fell into a bit of a pickle after surrendering a 16-2 run to make a tied ballgame into a 12-point deficit. Angelo State managed to maintain control the rest of the way and held on with a double-digit advantage throughout the second half.

Angelo State finished with a season-high .542 shooting percentage (26-48 FG).

Julio Montes II led the Vulcans with 16 points and four assists.

GAMES NOTES

• The Vulcans' nine countable opponents this season currently combine for a 59-24 record (.711) with just one team under .500. 
• Hawai'i Hilo: 0-9 Overall (0-3 PacWest Conference)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll No. T2
• Angelo State: 10-4 Overall (1-2 Lone Star Conference)
  • San Angelo, Texas
  • Preseason Coaches Poll No. T6
• Other Teams in Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic: Colorado School of Mines, Dominican (New York), Lubbock Christian (Texas), Montana State Billings, West Liberty (West Virginia)

UP NEXT

• Saturday, Jan. 3 (1:30 PM) vs Jessup (Rocklin, CA)
• Monday, Jan. 5 (2:15 PM) vs Fresno Pacific (Fresno, CA)
• Thursday, Jan. 8 (5:30 PM) vs Dominican (San Rafael, CA)
• Saturday, Jan. 10 (NOON) vs Menlo (Atherton, CA)
• Thursday, Jan. 15 (7 PM) vs Dominican (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)

PACWEST PRESEASON POLL

Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 2 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, tying with Fresno Pacific. The Vulcans finished the 2024-25 regular season in a three-way tie at No. 4 in the conference standings and was one of six teams to qualify for the PacWest Conference Championships postseason tournament, falling to defending champ Point Loma in the semifinal round. 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' 16 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 13 Vulcans Women'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 $180.