Just three games in to the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s season a disturbing trend has emerged: the inability to finish games.
Just three games in to the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s season a disturbing trend has emerged: the inability to finish games.
The Lady Vulcans made just one field goal Thursday during the final eight minutes of a 61-41 loss to Montana State-Billings at the Oahu Classic in Honolulu.
Alexa Jacobs (nine points) hit a 3-pointer to tie the score 35-35 with 9:15 remaining in the game. Then things began to snowball on the Lady Vulcans (0-3).
“We had a few bad possessions and they converted down the stretch,” coach David Kaneshiro said. “When we got decent shots, we just couldn’t make anything.”
Kaneshiro saw a similar circumstance unfold last Saturday on Oahu in a loss to Minnesota-Crookston in which UH-Hilo led with less than three minutes remaining but lost by five.
“We have to be able to find answers and find a way to keep our poise and stay in control,” Kaneshiro said.
Hayley Reynolds scored eight points and CC Rode added six before each fouled out for the Vulcans, who made just 6 of 31 on field-goal attempts in the second half and shot only 23.8 percent overall.
“Offensively we’re just not in sync,” Kaneshiro said.
Kayleen Goggins finished with a game-high 22 points for the Yellowjackets (4-2). Billings wasn’t much better from the floor at 34 percent, but it was 22 of 26 from the free-throw line. Alisha Breen got all 12 of her points on perfect shooting from the line.
The Vulcans play St. Thomas Aquinas at 3 p.m. Friday.
Montana State-Billings 22 39 — 61
UH-Hilo 21 20 — 41