For starters, UH-Hilo’s women’s basketball team finished strong.
Sara Shimizu scored 13 of her 18 points in the second half as the Vulcans began to seize control of their season-opener, turning back Multnomah 61-53 at their gym.
Shimizu capped an 8-0 run with a 3-pointer to tie the game 35-35, and the senior’s basket in the paint gave the Vuls their first lead.
UHH opened the fourth quarter with another 8-0 run, getting a 3-pointer by Mindy Kawaha, a three-point play by freshman Heaven Samayoa-Mathis and a basket by Jenna Waki to push the margin to 52-43.
The Vulcans, who will square off with the NAIA Lions (0-5) of Portland, Ore. again at 1 p.m. Saturday at UHH gym, committed just six turnovers.
Nikki Miller, a 6-foot post playing in her first game as a Vulcan, tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting. Kawaha was also in double figures with 13 points to go along with six assists.
Alaygza Portis led Multnomah with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Samayoa-Mathis finished with eight points and Mandy Kawaha played 33 minutes – Miller led the way with 34 – and contributed five points, four assists and seven rebounds.
Shimizu was 3 of 9 on 3-pointers and the Vuls were just 5 of 22 in shooting 33.3%
The Lions struggled from the field as well, going 15 of 57.