ROCKLIN, California – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball opened the new calendar year with a 73-70 victory over Jessup on Saturday afternoon in Pacific West Conference action at the Warrior Arena.

It was a slow start for the Vulcans, dropping into an early 9-0 hole through the first few minutes of play. The Warriors managed to build as large of a lead as 15 points near the 13:30 mark, but Hawai'i Hilo flushed out the first half by outscoring Jessup, 13-4, to make it a three-point game at the break.

A quick 8-3 run to start the second half put the Vulcans ahead on free throws made by Julio Montes II (17 points, 8-8 FT). Jessup re-took the lead near the halfway point, but Jessiya Villa answered back (11 total points) on an inside basket to give Hawai'i Hilo the advantage for the final time.

After Jessup managed to make it a one-point game with under 20 seconds to go, Jamal Entezami (11 points) hit two free throws to re-extend the lead to 73-70. The Warriors had final possession with eight seconds remaining but Entezami applied the final defensive pressure to cause the final shot attempt to fall short at the buzzer.

GAMES NOTES

• Julio Montes II: 17 Points (3-4 3PT, 8-8 FT)
• Dre Nobles: 15 Points (5-9 FG, 5-7 FT), 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists
• Jamal Entezami: 11 Points (5-6 FT), 6 Rebounds, 2 Steals
• Jessiya Villa: 11 Points (4-4 FT), 1 Assist, 1 Steal
• Alex Horiuk: 10 Points (5-8 FG), 9 Rebounds
• Brody Davis: 9 Rebounds, 1 Points, 2 Steals
• First victory of the season for Hawai'i Hilo.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 1-9 Overall (1-3 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll No. T2
• Jessup: 5-6 Overall (2-3 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll No. 10

UP NEXT

• Monday, Jan. 5 (2:15 PM) vs Fresno Pacific (Fresno, CA)
• Thursday, Jan. 8 (5:30 PM) vs Dominican (San Rafael, CA)
• Saturday, Jan. 10 (NOON) vs Menlo (Atherton, CA)
• Thursday, Jan. 15 (7 PM) vs Dominican (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)

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 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' 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.