Just like that, the fun stopped for UH-Hilo men’s basketball team.
The shots didn’t drop, and the rebounds didn’t bounce its way.
An eight-game winning streak went up in smoke Saturday in a 75-62 loss to Chaminade in Honolulu, and the Vulcans will have to wait to find out if their NCAA Division II postseason hopes did as well.
UHH (10-2 PacWest Hawaii of) entered ranked seventh in the West Region, and the committee will unveil its six selections at 5:30 p.m. Hawaii time Sunday. Considering the apparent disregard for the Hawaii pod – the Hawaii Pacific women are ranked in the top five in two national polls but just fifth overall in its region – UHH might have needed to thread the needle to advance despite being ranked No. 22 nationally.
“I think all of the games this year are must-win,” coach Kaniela Aiona said. “Considering where we are and the ranking, they are all must-win.”
The Vuls got the first win they needed in a 78-62 triumph Friday at Chaminade, but they fell behind 11-0 on Saturday and never gained their footing, shooting a season-low 35.2%.
The main problem?
“Chaminade was the biggest issue,” Aiona said. “I don’t want to take anything away from them. Coach (Eric) Bovaird has his team prepared. It was their senior night and they came out with a lot of energy.”
The Silverswords (5-7) led by as many as 23 points in the first half and took a 39-17 lead into halftime in winning for just the second time in six meeting against UHH. During those first 20 minutes, the Vuls shot just 6 of 27.
Chaminade’s Malik Parsons headlined a balanced with 14 points.
After controlling the boards Friday (40-29), the Vulcans were outrebounded 46-31.
“They punished us on the glass and were really aggressive,” Aiona said.
Darren Williams led the way with 21 points on 8-of-8 free-throw shooting, but he was just 5 of 15 from the field. Sasa Vuksanovic added 15 points and seven rebounds, and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones chipped in with 13 points and seven boards, though the freshman standout took just six shots.
Elsewhere in the West Region, UHH may or may not have gotten help Friday when Colorado School of Mines bounced No. 6 Black Hills State (11-7) from the RMAC tournament. The 69-64 setback to No. 2 Mines (16-1) could be considered a “quality loss” for Black Hills in the eyes of the selection committee.
Meanwhile, No. 8 Fresno Pacific finished it regular season Saturday with a second straight win against Humboldt State, and No. 5 Biola bolstered its chances by beating No.3 Point Loma.
Aiona said rankings won’t be the singular focus when the team gathers Sunday afternoon to learn its postseason fate.
“No matter what, we’re going to celebrate a great season,” he said.
Women
UHH 93, Chaminade 59: Kim Schmelz delivered a performance worthy of six-year senior playing her final game, tying a career-high with 29 points and matching a school record with seven 3-pointers in Honolulu.
The Vulcans tied a school-record with 13 3-pointers and reached season-highs in points and shooting (54.8 percent) in achieving balance. They beat the Silverswords (0-12) for the sixth time after finishing 0-6 against HPU.
Schmelz, the program’s second all-time leading scorer, made of 10 of 17, including 7 of 10 from long range to tie the single-game record held by Kirstie Williams, who made seven 3s three times in the 2014 season.
Mandi Kawaha scored 19 points with eight assists and Jenna Waki and freshman Mindy Kawaha each scored 10 points. On the strength of 4-of-4 shooting, Mindy Kawaha reached double figures for the first time in her career.