HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University was stunned on Sunday afternoon at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium as Hawai'i Hilo posted a 73-50 PacWest Conference victory.
The Sharks (4-4, 1-2) lost to the Vulcans (4-2, 2-1) for just the second time ever. It was the Vulcans first win over the Sharks since Jan. 3, 2012 when they beat HPU 53-50 at Blaisdell Arena. The loss snapped HPU's 25-game win streak over UHH.
HPU was led by junior
Avery Cargill of Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman who scored 12 points, with junior
Tavia Rowell of Langley, B.C. Canada/Walnut Grove picking up a double-double collecting 10 points and 14 rebounds. Freshman
Allison Ross of Boise, Idaho/Boise added eight points.
UH Hilo was led by Mandi Kawaha with 15 points, while Nikki Miller double-doubled with 12 points and 11 rebuonds. Sara Shimizu also had 12 points and Heaven Samayoa-Mathis just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 boards.
HPU shot a season low 24 percent from the field (14-of-58), including 4-of-24 (17 percent) from the 3-point arc. The Sharks made 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line. UHH hit 40 percent (23-of-58) from the floor, including 5-of-15 (33 percent) from the arc. The Vulcans connected on 22-of-31 (71 percent) from the charity stripe. The Vulcans won the battle of the boards 43-41, and turned the ball over just 12 times to HPU's 15.
The Sharks never led in the contest.
The Vulcans opened the game with a 9-2 run and dominated throughout the game. After getting a double-digit lead, UH Hilo allowed HPU to close within nine once – after a 5-0 run to start the third quarter.
The Sharks are in action again on Tuesday evening, when No. 7 Alaska Anchorage visits The Shark Tank. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.
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