HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball will be playing extra games as it qualified for the Pacific West Conference postseason tournament prior to Saturday's regular season finale in a 90-69 defeat to HPU at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Heading into the final day of the season, it was a three-way battle between the Vulcans, Fresno Pacific and Concordia for the last two of six total spots to get into the conference tournament. An early-day matchup between FPU and Jessup resulted in a loss for the Sunbirds, giving Hawai'i Hilo the golden ticket regardless of Saturday's result against HPU.
During Saturday's contest, the Vulcans broke program records as Andre Norris snatched two early steals to set a new single-season record, so far tallying up 73 on the season. Nadjrick Peat collected eight rebounds to become Hawai'i Hilo's new all-time leader at 622.
Against the Sharks, Hawai'i Hilo was up by as much as 10 points late in the first half but HPU managed to shoot nearly lights out through the final 20 minutes going 25 of 31 (.806) from the field while making 8 of their 13 total 3-pointers.
Jessiya Villa posted a career-high 21 points, splashing 5 of 8 from beyond the arc.
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 11-9 in the PacWest (18-12 overall) as HPU finishes its season at a 10-10 conference record (15-15 overall).
Prior to Saturday's tip-off, seniors Jake Kosakowski, Nadjrick Peat and Thatcher Stone were recognized as part of Senior Day.
PACWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS
- #1 Point Loma (18-2), #2 Biola (16-4), #3 Academy of Art (13-7), #4 Hawai'i Hilo (11-9), #5 Concordia (11-9), #6 Westmont (11-9)
- First Round: #3 Academy of Art vs #6 Westmont; #4 Hawai'i Hilo vs #5 Concordia
- Semifinals: #2 Biola vs ART U/WC; #1 Point Loma vs UHH/CUI
- Championship Game: Saturday, March 8 at 2:30 PM / 4:30 PM (PT)
- Tickets available at ThePacWest.com
UP NEXT: PacWest Championships First Round – Thursday, March 6 (5:15 PM / 7:15 PM PT) vs Concordia (San Rafael, California / Conlan Center at Dominican University of California)
