HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team seemed to recapture their mojo after Wednesday's win at Hawai'i Pacific University which snapped an uncharacteristic five-game losing streak.
However, a talented and hungry University of Hawai'i Hilo squad took it right away to soundly defeat the Silverswords, 78-62, Friday at McCabe Gymnasium.
The loss dropped the 'Swords to 4-7 in the Pacific West Conference, guaranteeing them their first losing season since 2015-16.
Like they did on Wednesday, the 'Swords had balanced scoring with six players with six or more points, paced by
Isaac Amaral-Artharee (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) and senior
Roman Young (Wichita, Kan./Mineral Area College/Sunrise Christian Academy) with 11 points each, the latter being one shy of his season high.
Sawyer Storms (Idaho Falls, Idaho/College of Southern Idaho/Idaho Falls HS),
Jessiya Villa (Martinsburg, W. Va./Hawai'i/Kahuku HS) and
Kevin Kremer (Chico, Calif./Utah/Pleasant Valley HS) each added eight points while
Malik Parsons (San Diego/Wentachee Valley CC/Lincoln HS) had six.
DeRay Seamster (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) had a team-best five rebounds with Parsons dishing out five assists, a team high.
UH Hilo, ranked 24th in the NABC Coaches Poll and 22nd in the D2SIDA Media Poll and who are making a legitimate postseason run, improved to 10-1 in running its winning streak to 10. The Vulcans only loss this season came at Chaminade in the Jan. 30 season opener. Darren Williams led all scorers with 21 points.
The aforementioned momentum carried the 'Swords early as they jumped out to an 8-1 lead two minutes in. But as they've done all season, the Vulcans scrapped back and eventually took their first lead of the game at the 9:10 mark of the half.
After UH Hilo enjoyed a 38-34 halftime lead, Chaminade roared back, thanks to Young who scored five straight to put the home team up, 49-48 with 13:10 remaining. However, on the next possession, Williams drove the paint for a layup to put the Vulcans up for good.
The first 3-pointer of the year by Wednesday's hero,
Patrick Renane (Havdrup, Denmark/Dublin, Calif.), made it a 57-54 deficit with nine minutes left. However Hawai'i Hilo proceeded to go on a 7-1 run to increase its lead to 64-55 three minutes later. UH Hilo's nationally-ranked defense then held the 'Swords to just one field goal in the final three minutes which came from
Nathan Pickett (Atlanta/The Skill Factory) with a second left.
Chaminade was held to 41.1 percent shooting and was outrebounded by a 40 to 29 count, with UH Hilo gathering 13 offensive rebounds, leading to 20 second-chance points. Although the 'Sword hit 10 3-pointers, they continued to struggle with efficiency with 27 attempts for a 37 percentage.
The Silverswords will wrap up the season on Saturday with a rematch against the Vulcans. A 'Swords win could possibly end UH Hilo's bid for an NCAA West Region berth.
Young, along with fellow senior
Bill Awet (Syndey, Australia/SIU Edwardsville/Victory Rock Prep, Fla.) will be honored prior to the 5 p.m. tipoff.
