Vulcans finish 3-0 at Canada tourney
LANGLEY, Canada – The Vikings made a last-minute push to cut the Vulcans’ led to within single digits, but the UH-Hilo Men’s Basketball team sank enough free throws down the stretch to close out the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic at 3-0 with a 93-82 victory over Western Washington Sunday morning at the Langley Events Centre.
The Vulcans led for 98.2 percent of the contest as WWU put together a seven-point run to make it a 78-69 score with just over four minutes remaining. But UH-Hilo went 9 of 12 at the free throw line and 3 for 3 from the field the rest of the way to maintain its lead through to the end.
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Carlos Ramsey Jr. led the team with a new career-high 27 points (9-18 FG; 9-12 FT) as the Vulcans finished shooting 51.6 percent on field goals.
Kalique Mitchell posted his second double-double of the young season with 15 points on 11 rebounds with two blocks and two steals. Over the weekend, Mitchell averaged 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Charles Elzie III again finished with double-digit scoring figures with 17 points as Jake Kosakawski got things going to finish with 14 (3-4 3FG).
UH-Hilo moved to 3-0 overall as Western Washington moved to a 2-1 record.
The Vulcans will head to Southern California for contests against Saint Martin’s (Nov. 10) and Montana State Billings (Nov. 11) before competing on O’ahu against UH Manoa (Nov. 14) and Chaminade (Nov. 16). The Saints are two-time defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions. Note that Daylight Savings Time ended early Sunday and time zone differences have occurred.
First home match is set for Saturday, Nov. 25 against Northwest Indian College at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Before the home opener, Hilo fans will have the opportunity to see the team in action at Vulcan Madness set for Sunday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. in the on-campus Vulcan Gymnasium. Fans will be treated to contests, giveaways and fun for all ages.
The Vulcans garnered 90 points to slot in a No. 3 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released at the end of October.
UH-Hilo finished last season at 17-9 overall with a 13-7 conference record, good for No. 4 in the regular-season standings to earn a trip to the postseason tournament. The Vulcans fell to Biola in the PacWest Championships First Round.
Among the team’s eight returnees is 2022-23 PacWest Conference Newcomer of the Year and All-PacWest Second Team selection Carlos Ramsey Jr., who was voted to the 2023-24 All-PacWest Preseason Team.
The Vulcans added five transfers and one freshman for head coach Kaniela Aiona’s fourth season.
Single-game and season tickets are now available to be purchased online through UH-Hilo Vulcans Athletics’ recently launched online ticket platform in partnership with AudienceView Campus.
The 2023-24 slate will feature 28 total home contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium with a package price of $130 for adults and $65 for seniors (ages 65-plus) and middle/high school students.
Both can be accessed at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. Official announcement to come soon.
