Box Score HILO, HI – The Swords battled the Vulcans of UH Hilo tonight in PacWest Conference action in UHH Gym and fell, 61-32.
Chaminade battled in the opening half of action, trailing 27-16 at the break. Two
Markeshia Manning (Kapolei, HI/Pearl City) free throws cut the lead to four (20-16) with just over five minutes remaining in the half before the Vulcans scored seven straight points for the eleven point halftime lead. Sophomore guard
Jordan Ahakuelo (Pearl City, HI/Pearl City) led the way with five first half points for CUH. Junior forward
Rhani Kaneaiakala (Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha) added five first half rebounds.
A 16-0 run over five minutes early in the second half extended a 34-21 UHH lead to 50-21 and the Vulcans didn't look back. Chaminade battled, led by Ahakuelo, who finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds in defeat. CUH shot 11-51 (22%) from the floor for the game, while Hilo shot 46%.
Junior forward
Rhani Kaneaiakala (Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha) finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds for the Swords.
Coach Keanini commented on the defeat: “Hilo was very disciplined and physical. They played well. We had some open shots that we are capable of making that aren't going in right now. We can make those and we will. The game was in range at around eleven points in the second half and their run put it away.”
Hawaii-Hilo was led by Shannon Rousseau with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Vulcans convincingly won the rebounding battle, 45-30.
Chaminade is back in PacWest action on Jan. 19
th at Dominican (5:30 PM PT). The next home contest is Jan. 30th against Grand Canyon. Tip is set for 5:00 PM HT in McCabe Gym.
The Swords are now 0-10, 0-4 PWC on the year, while Hawaii-Hilo goes to 7-6, 4-1 PWC.
