Warriors rally in second half to beat Vulcans
KAILUA-KONA,HAWAII — The Hawaii basketball team came up big in the second half on the Big Island in a 79-66 victory over Hawaii-Hilo on Friday night.
The neutral site game was played at Kealakehe High School Gymnasium. Although Hawaii-Hilo is a NCAA Division II team, the result and statistics counted for both teams. The Warriors improved to 4-4, while the Vulcans dropped to 4-3.
The Warriors trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, but took control in the second half.
Shaquille Stokes led Hawaii with 21 points and four assists. Vander Joaquim controlled the paint in the second half, and finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Joston Thomas also scored 17.
The Warriors out-rebounded the Vulcans 44-35. After shooting less than 40 percent in the first half, the Warriors shot 51.4 percent in the second half, and held the Vulcans to 33.3 percent in the second half.
The Vulcans scored the first basket of the game and stayed in the lead for the entire first half. The Warriors trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, but rallied to cut the UH-Hilo lead to 34-32 at intermission.
Hawaii shot just 39.3 percent from the field in the first half, including just 16.7 percent (2 of 12) from 3-point range. Zane Johnson, the team’s leading scorer entering the game, was held scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. Johnson finished with six points, and did not make a 3-pointer.
The Warriors opened the second half with a 15-2 run to take a 47-36 lead it would not relinquish the rest of the way. The Vulcans got as close as two at 51-49, but the Warriors responded with a 14-0 surge to push the lead back up to 65-49.
Terrell Mack led UH-Hilo with 21 points.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.
Good to get a Win that counts and levels the Wins and Losses …
‘Bows start Climbing from here …
Got To Learn to Play 40+ minutes if going to win two or more Diamond Head Classic Games … that means starting fast and hard from first tip — more like the (better job in the) second half …
This Team is Not Good Enough to get away with less than full 40 effort against upper half D-1 schools (like they’ll see in DHC, WAC & Post-Season, if any)
i thought flying guys back and forth from-to O’ahu — several flew in minutes before game time — was too risky — Gib noted Zane missed his entire pre-game routine and was shut-out in the first half and vows he won’t do that again — but still planning for Zane and Miah to fly back for Saturday’s Grad ceremony then back to Maui for next game. In the future i’m sure he’ll schedule more decompress and prep time for each game …
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Oceanic ought to have a One-Man Camera Crew (like the News) for on-site coverage so that we can get computer/T.V. coverage of ALL D-1 men’s games — Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball … any sport that can draw 3000-plus …
Thanks Dayton (and PACRISK, C.Dias) for filling their deficiency / void…
A win is a win is a win. Okay guys, now we just need to put 2 good halves together and we’ll be in good shape. Good game Shaq.
Go Warriors!
A Win! Go Warriors!
The old recruiting saying is true……”Go to the school that will give you the best degree and choose the head coach that loves you and your game. If they don’t love you or your game your balling days are history.” Coach M.
Go Warriors! A player should have listened.