HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball fell to HPU, 57-49, Thursday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

The Vulcans took a three-point advantage into halftime, but the visiting Sharks managed to pull away through the final 20 minutes of action. Despite out-shooting HPU, .450 to .261 in the second half, Hawai'i Hilo just wasn't able to catch up.

HPU managed to put together an 11-0 run that spanned nearly four minutes through the overlap of the third and fourth quarters — seven of those points came from the free throw line.

GAME NOTES

• Hawai'i Hilo kept its long-range attempts to single digits for the first time this season, shooting 1 of 6 on 3-pointers.
• Vulcans committed 27 turnovers (against 14 HPU steals). The Sharks had 16 turnovers (against four UHH steals).
• Brooke Samura recorded her third double-double of the season on 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Tavina Harris led again with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 2-4 Overall (0-1 PacWest)
• HPU: 3-3 Overall (2-0 PacWest)
• The two teams will meet again next week on Saturday, Dec. 13 on O'ahu.
• HPU now leads the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge for women's basketball competition with early victories over Chaminade and Hawai'i Hilo. After the fall season, the Vulcans led the friendly points-based competition between the three Division-II Hawai'i schools. More information at HiloAthletics.com/PWCHI.
• Backyard Monkey was Thursday's gameday sponsor as attending fans were given the opportunity to win gift cards and contest prizes. Fans were invited to play Basketball Bingo with the card filled with in-game events instead of numbers. Bingo will be played at every Thursday home event.

UP NEXT

• Saturday, Dec. 6 (5 PM) vs Chaminade (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
• Thursday, Dec. 11 (7 PM) vs UH Manoa (Honolulu, HI)
• Saturday, Dec. 13 (4:30 PM) vs HPU (Honolulu, HI)
• Saturday, Jan. 3 (11 AM) vs Jessup (Rocklin, CA)

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.