Tribune-Herald The University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s basketball team ended a five-game homestand by leaving its fans yearning for more. ADVERTISING Senior forward Hillary Hurley scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds and the Vulcans used a torrid start
Tribune-Herald
The University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s basketball team ended a five-game homestand by leaving its fans yearning for more.
Senior forward Hillary Hurley scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds and the Vulcans used a torrid start Saturday night to rout Dominican 76-55 at UHH Gym.
“We started off well and knew we wanted to start that way to carry that momentum on the upcoming road trip,” said junior guard Kirsten Shimizu, who scored eight points with five assists. “We played well enough to get everyone in, played all the mixes and contributed.”
Junior Jazlyn Afusia (eight points) hit a pair of jumpers in the opening minute as the Vulcans (10-11, 7-6 Pacific West Conference) scored the game’s first 10 points. Consecutive jumpers by junior forward Elise Spain (eight points) gave UHH a 28-4 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half.
The Vulcans shot 59.4 percent to lead 45-15 at halftime.
“Haven’t had too many starts like that,” coach David Kaneshiro said. “We moved the ball well to get open looks, and we did a good job of hitting shots.”
UHH led by as many as 35 in the second half, and 10 different players scored in the game. Junior guards Kirsty Imai and Shannon Rousseau each finished with nine points.
In her second game since coming back from an injury, Hurley did all her damage in 18 minutes played, hitting 8 of 9 from the field and making all five of her free throws.
“It’s good to get her back in the flow,” Kaneshiro said.
The Vulcans dominated the boards, holding a 48-24 advantage in rebounds.
Kayla Valentine scored 16 points for the Penguins (4-21, 3-12), who shot just 35.1 percent.
UHH won its second straight to finish 3-2 on its homestand. The Vulcans start a three-game mainland road trip Tuesday at Notre Dame de Namur.
Dominican 15 40—55
UHH 45 31—76
Dominican men 66, UHH 61: Senior Zach Wilde recorded a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, but the Vulcans stubbed their toes with 17 turnovers and 10 missed free throws.
Jammall Clark led Domincan (9-17, 8-7) with 12 points and Derek Ober had 10.
Michael Melonas scored 16 points for the Vulcans (8-13, 2-11), who lost despite holding a 44-27 rebounding edge and outshooting the Penguins 48-41.8 percent.
“When you have 17 turnovers and go 11 of 21 from the line in a very close winnable game, it’s very easy to say that’s all you need,” UHH coach Jeff Law said. “But there were a lot of other areas that we could have played better.
“Right now we need to work on us as opposed on anybody else.”
Dominican 30 36—66
UHH 30 31—61
The University of Hawaii at Hilo contributed to this report.
