HILO, Hawai'i – A late 12-point rally helped bring the Vulcans within striking distance but it ultimately wouldn't be enough as Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball fell to Westmont, 75-65, Tuesday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Starting with two free throws from Brody Davis at the 11:30 mark of the second half, it was a team effort as the Vulcans rallied with consecutive baskets made by Julio Montes II, Dre Nobles, Jamal `zami and Jayden Hosein put Hawai'i Hilo at just a five-point deficit with eight minutes to play.

Montes II put in eight of the Vulcans final 15 points from then on out, but the Warriors also managed to lock in to finish the game shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 7 of 11 at the free throw line.

A Dre Nobles 3-pointer with under 90 seconds to go brought the score back to a five-point margin, but Westmont sank its subsequent free throws to walk away with the win.

GAME NOTES

• Montes II: 17 points (6-10 FG, 3-3 FT), 1 rebound, 5 assists
• Hosein: 15 points (5-8 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 steal
• Entezami: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Statistically, the Vulcans have had their two best offensive efficiency outings of the season in the last two most-recent contests: .553 (26-47 FG) vs Vanguard (Jan. 17) and .511 (23-45 FG) vs Westmont (tonight)
• Vulcans had their best three-point shooting performance of the season reaching double-digit makes (10-21 3PT) for a .476 chip.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 1-15 Overall (1-9 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. T2
  • Current Standing: No. 13
• Westmont: 9-7 Overall (6-4 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 8
  • Current Standing: No. T4

UP NEXT

• Thursday, Jan. 22 (7 PM) vs Concordia (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
• Saturday, Jan. 24 (3 PM) vs Biola (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
• Thursday, Jan. 29 (5:30 PM) vs Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
• Saturday, Jan. 31 (5:30 PM) vs Westmont (Santa Barbara, California)

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 six-team 2025-26 PacWest Championships will be hosted by Point Loma 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.