When UH-Manoa called UH-Hilo to issue an invitation to the Outrigger Rainbow Classic, Vulcans athletic director Pat Guillen and men’s basketball coach Kaniela Aiona met to discuss the possibilities.
And the impracticalities.
The Vuls already had Simpson booked to come to Hilo for two games – and they were going to honor the commitment made by the Hawks, Aiona said – so fitting in three more games on Oahu around the same time would require creativity and flexibility.
In the end, Guillen left it up to Aiona.
“We sat across from one another and said this is probably unprecedented,” Aiona said. “Some people might think we’re nuts, but it was an opportunity we didn’t want to miss.”
Flash forward to Saturday night, and Aiona – crazy like a fox – answered the phone having just touched down in Hilo.
“We’re back, baby,” he said.
It’s been a whirlwind tour, and the Vulcans are more than just along for the ride. UHH’s 87-79 overtime victory against Division I Northern Colorado at Honolulu’s Stan Sheriff Center was only shocking to outsiders.
“We told the guys that we thought we matched up well against them,” Aiona said, “and that this was a game we could win.
“My assistants (Jamison Montgomery and Steve Kinder) did a great in helping to come up with a game plan.”
As good as it was, the plan probably didn’t call for UHH (2-0) needing to score six points in the final four seconds of regulation to force overtime.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who made the all-tournament team, cut the deficit to two with four seconds left, but the Bears (2-1) seemingly iced the game on two free throws by Matt Johnson with three seconds left in regulation. However, UH-Hilo threw a long pass downcourt and Max Kunnert drew a foul while flinging up a 3-point attempt.
Kunnert made his first two free throws and the third intentionally came off the right side of the rim. Erik Borg grabbed the offensive rebound and tossed in a shot with 0.2 seconds left to force overtime at 75-75.
“That was a wild final four seconds,” Aiona said.
The Vulcans were composed in overtime, scoring 12 of the final 14 points as the Bears – who took home the Rainbow Classic title – shot just 1 of 8.
Darren William’s jumper tied the game at 77 after the Bears made two free throws, and Kunnert’s 3-pointer put UHH ahead for good. Donald McHenry (19 points) and Williams (18) paced five scorers in double figures, and each hit two free throws to stretch the lead in OT. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones and Kameron Ng had 13 points apiece, and Ethan Jetter added 11. The Vuls scored 24 points off 17 Northern Colorado turnovers.
On Thursday, UHH played D-I Pacific tough before wilting late in an 85-74 loss.
“We didn’t feel like our poise was there down the stretch,” Aiona said, “and that was a big-time lesson for us.
“We kept scrapping and we had poise tonight, and that’s what it takes to win these kinds of games.”
The loss to Pacific and Wednesday’s to the Rainbow Warriors were considered exhibitions. In between trips to Oahu, UHH beat Simpson 89-72 on Friday, and the teams will meet again at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium at 3 p.m. Sunday as the Vuls take the court for the fifth consecutive day. After a day off, UHH welcomes Alaska-Anchorage on Tuesday.
“What’s great about this team is they just want to play,” Aiona said. “They’d rather play a game than take a day off or practice.
“We have to show maturity against Simpson (on Sunday). Not because we shouldn’t lose to them, but because they can beat us.”