Following today’s PacWest doubleheaders, the UHH teams will host Notre Dame de Namur in a twinbill on Feb. 12 at UHH Gym. The women play at 5 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m.
By BILL O’REAR
Tribune-Herald sports editor
The University of Hawaii at Hilo men’s basketball team has played well at times this season, but a consistent lapse on offense or defense and missed free throws have left the young Vulcans frustrated and badly needing a win to boost their confidence.
“It’s frustrating,” UHH coach Jeff Law said. “We’ve played hard and we’ve competed. We just seem to have a little letdown here or there in a lot of the games and it’s cost us.
“Right now, we need to get a taste of a win. If we can do that it’ll help the team’s confidence and maybe gets us back on track to finish up strong.”
The Vulcans are riding a six-game losing streak — and they’ve been in almost every Pacific West Conference game at home or on the road. But their inability to close out the 40-minute contest has fallen short — just like a lot of their free throws in some hard-luck defeats.
UHH (7-11 overall, 1-9) will host perennial PacWest contender Grand Canyon (11-7, 5-5) at 7:30 p.m. today in a conference battle at UHH Gym. The Vulcan women (8-10, 5-5) will play the Antelopes (16-2, 8-2) in the earlier game at 5 p.m.
“Grand Canyon shoots the ball very well,” Law said. “They beat HPU by 17 points and lost in overtime to Chaminade. They’re tall and athletic.
“But if we’re going to get a win, it would be great if it came against Grand Canyon. They’re one of the better teams in the conference. We played them pretty well in Phoenix (a 77-64 loss).”
To have a shot at the Antelopes, Law said his team needs to play a complete game as a unit.
“There have been areas of improvement this season,” he said. “But it would be nice to see all of their hard work and sweat pay off with a win.
“We need to stay cleaner as a team — a unit, take good shots, and we can’t have defensive lapses. And we’ve got to finish the game strong — not one guy trying to do it by himself, but everyone working together to reach our goal.”
In PacWest action, 6-foot-6 senior Zach Wilde leads the Vulcans in scoring at 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Junior Terrell Mack is second at 12.3 ppg; junior Mychael Hearn third at 10.7 ppg; and junior Kiel Myers fourth at 9.0 ppg.
As a team, UHH is averaging 67.8 ppg while allowing 74.5 ppg. The Vulcans are shooting .418 on field goals, .328 on 3-pointers and .686 on free throws.
The Vulcan women, under second-year coach David Kaneshiro, also face a tall order in visiting Grand Canyon. The talented Antelopes prevailed in a close contest, 49-40, in their first meeting this season.
The Vulcans are led in scoring and rebounding in conference play by 6-2 senior Hillary Hurley (12.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg). Junior point guard Kirsten Shimizu is second in scoring at 11.0 ppg and senior Hotia Vaaimamao third at 6.3 ppg.
As a team, UHH is averaging 54.3 ppg and allowing 52.2 ppg. The Vuls are shooting .347 on field goals, .243 on treys and .695 on free throws.
On deck: Argonauts
Following today’s PacWest doubleheaders, the UHH teams will host Notre Dame de Namur in a twinbill on Feb. 12 at UHH Gym. The women play at 5 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m.