SANTA BARBARA, California – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball fell to Westmont, 76-60, on Saturday night in Pacific West Conference play at the Murchison Gymnasium.

Both teams were even on the scoreboard at halftime, but the Warriors managed to pull away late after piecing together a 16-0 scoring spurt starting near the 12-minute mark of the second half and continuing on through the next three minutes of action. The Vulcans committed two turnovers during that span and came up empty on just three shot attempts. Westmont shot 5 of 6 — 4 of 4 on 3-pointers — and went 2 of 3 at the free throw line.

Westmont had been 3 of 17 from beyond the arc until managing to go 4 for 4 during the 16-0 run.

Vulcans big man Alex Horiuk totaled a game-high 18 points (7-10 FG).

Hawai'i Hilo shot a .429 clip from the field and was efficient in going 4 of 9 on 3-pointers. The Vulcans were .521 in the opening half but just 9 of 26 (.346) through the final 20 minutes.

GAME NOTES

• The two teams had just met on Jan. 20 in Hilo with the Warriors managing to claim the win.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 4-16 Overall (4-10 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. T2
  • Current Standing: No. 12
• Westmont: 12-8 Overall (9-5 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 8
  • Current Standing: No. T3

UP NEXT

• Tuesday, Feb. 3 (3:30 PM) vs Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)
• Thursday, Feb. 5 (5:30 PM) vs Biola (La Mirada, California)
• Saturday, Feb. 7 (5 PM) vs Concordia (Irvine, California)
• Thursday, Feb. 12 (7 PM) vs Jessup (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 six-team 2025-26 PacWest Championships will be hosted by Point Loma on March 5-7 in San Diego.