HILO – For the second straight day, Hawai'i Pacific University closed a double-digit deficit two within a score, but host Hawai'i-Hilo pulled through in the end for an 82-77 PacWest Conference win on Sunday afternoon at Vulcan Gymnasium.
 
The Sharks (0-2, 0-2) trailed by 13 points in the second half before trimming the lead gradually and using an 8-1 run to pull within two with just under three minutes to play. The Vulcans (2-0, 2-0), who overcame an 11-point first half deficit, held on by swapping scores down the stretch.
 
The Sharks were led junior junior Rodney Hounshell of Richmond, Va./West Linn (Ore.) with a game-high 23 points. Sophomore Lachlan Viney of Melbourne, Australia/Mazenod came off the bench with 13 points. Senior Tavon Tarpley of McLean, Va./Langley double-doubled with 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, with senior David Rowlands of Dayton, Ohio/Moorpark scoring 11 points with five assists.
 
UH Hilo got 20 points and 11 rebounds from Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, while Jordan Graves added 13 points and eight boards. A total of five Vulcans scored in double figures.
 
HPU shot an outstanding 51 percent (33-of-65) from the field, but hit 5-of-14 (36 percent) from the 3-point arc. The Sharks converted 6-of-9 (67 percent) from the foul line. UHH made 32-of-70 (46 percent) from the floor, including 9-of-28 (32 percent) from the arc. The Vulcans made 9-of-17 (53 percent) from the charity stripe. UH Hilo dominated the Sharks in rebounding 42-29 and both teams suffered nine turnovers.
 
The Sharks came on strong after spotting the Vulcans an early 5-2 lead. Keyed by a jumper from sophomore Colton Martin of Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound and a Rowlands 3-pointer, the Shark grabbed the lead and made it an 18-4 run to take a 20-9 lead with 13:13 in the first. The Vulcans chipped away at the HPU advantage, then made a 13-0 run and reclaimed the lead on a Jalen Thompson jumper. HPU battle the rest of the half and closed the halftime deficit to three at 38-35 on a Rowlands jumper at the horn.
 
After swapping shots, the Vulcans went on a 12-2 run to open a 50-37 lead, but the pesky Sharks never quit. HPU used an 8-1 run to cut into the Vulcan lead, then chipped away until a Tarpley layup made it a five-point 70-65 game with five minutes left.
 
The Sharks weren't done, Martin made two shots around a Tait-Jones 3-pointer to trim the lead to four, and Viney's open jumper pull HPU with two at 73-71 with 2:49 left. The teams traded baskets with Hounshell's baseline jumper making it UHH 77-75 with 1:39 remaining.
 
That's when Tait-Jones pulled out a dagger for the Vulcans, burying a corner 3-pointer to give UHH a five-point 80-75 advantage with 1:32 left. Hounshell collected a baseline jumper to pull HPU to 80-77, but then the Sharks had to foul to get the ball. Darren Williams hit both free throws and the Sharks missed an off-balance 3-pointer in the final seconds for the final score of 82-77.
 
HPU returns to Honolulu for its first home games on the season next weekend. The Sharks host cross-town rival Chaminade for games on Saturday and Sunday at the Shark Tank. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. both days.