HILO, Hawai'i – One week after a victorious meeting in California, Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball fell to Dominican, 67-61, Thursday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Hawai'i Hilo had seven players active at tip-off and ended with just six available in rotation by the time of the final buzzer. The Vulcans fell into an early 11-0 hole and just couldn't quite recover with limited numbers.

Kaile Cruz put up a new career-high 22 points on nine field goals (three 3-pointers) with six rebounds, five assists and one steal.

GAME NOTES

• Freshmen Kacie Febo-Santiago (first start) and Everett Roach saw their first extended time on the court, combining for 15 points and 15 rebounds.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 5-7 Overall (3-4 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
  • Current Standing: No. T8
• Dominican: 11-3 Overall (5-3 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 4
  • Current Standing: No. 5
  • Penguins associate head coach Kim Schmelz enjoyed a nice homecoming returning to the Big Island after spending seven total seasons with the Vulcans as a player and assistant coach (2015-2023). The Sacramento, California native's 1,041 career points ranks No. 3 in the program record books.

UP NEXT

• Saturday, Jan. 17 (4 PM) vs Vanguard (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
  • Note that parking at the Ho'olulu Complex will be limited due to shuttle service for a downtown Hilo event.
• Tuesday, Jan. 20 (5 PM) vs Westmont (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
• Thursday, Jan. 22 (5 PM) vs Concordia (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
• Saturday, Jan. 24 (1 PM) vs Biola (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 six-team 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.