HILO, Hawai'i – Kaile Cruz dropped another career high in points, but the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team fell to Vanguard, 60-44, Saturday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Cruz one-upped her previous career high — set two days earlier against Dominican — by one point in totaling 23 on nine field goals (two 3-pointers) while going 3 of 4 at the free throw line.
The Vulcans battled back from double-digit deficits five times to bring the score back to single-digit point differentials, but the Lions — voted No. 1 in the conference preseason poll and current holders of the top spot in the standings — managed to pull away late for good in the third quarter.
GAME NOTES
- The two teams will meet again Feb. 3 in Costa Mesa.
- Vanguard's Kaylee Byon finished just shy of a triple-double on 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 5-9 Overall (3-6 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
- Current Standing: No. T9
- Vanguard: 11-3 Overall (5-3 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 1
- Current Standing: No. 1
UP NEXT
- 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.
