Local boys Randan Berinobis and Maikai Gahan were more than ready to keep the surge going, but the numbers, not to mention Hawaii Pacific, wouldn’t allow for it.
Berinobis, a senior and Hilo High graduate, posted a career-high 31 points Tuesday night, but the Vulcans saw a modest two-game winning streak end in a 88-75 loss at Moanalua High School in Honolulu.
Niksha Frederico, a transfer from San Diego State, led the Sharks (12-10, 7-7 Pacific West Conference) with 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Hawaii Pacific was 12 of 23 from 3-point range.
Instead of merely missing two players from their original starting backcourt, UHH (6-14, 5-8) missed a third. Ryley Callaghan was suspended one game by the conference for his part in an altercation last week against Fresno Pacific.
“It was a tremendous effort,” coach GE Coleman said in release. “No matter what, we will always play hard. Randan is our poster child for that. He stepped up in a big way tonight.”
Berinobis’ previous career-high was 17 – a mark he reached three times – but easily surpassed that total, hitting 9 of 16 from the field – 5 of 7 from 3-point range – and 8-of-10 free throws.
Gahan, a Waiakea graduate, made four 3-pointers en route to a career-high 12 points. Devin Johnson added 19 points and nine rebounds.
The Vuls, who shot 39.7 percent, head to the mainland for five games, beginning with a Saturday game at Dixie State.
• Women’s basketball
Hawaii Pacific 75, UH-Hilo 36: The Vulcans simply ran into a buzzsaw.
Top in the PacWest and nationally ranked, the Sharks (19-2, 13-1) won their 15th game in a row, holding UH-Hilo to 28.6 percent shooting and outrebounding the Vuls 44-24.
Danielle Dacosta scored 11 points and Allie Navarette added 10 for UHH (6-10, 4-9), which trailed 35-13 at halftime.
Hawaii Pacific’s largest lead was 41. Jessi Reeves led five HPU players in double figures with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
• Softball
Senior Cyanne Fernandez went the distance for her fourth victory before Leah Gonzalez allowed 13 hits during a split against Montana State-Billings in Las Vegas. UHH won 3-2 then lost 6-3.
In defeat, Isabelle Mejia hit her third home run and Kacie Freudenberge launched her second. In victory, Mejia each finished 2 for 3.
Fernandez (4-0) didn’t allow an earne run, allowing six hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Brinell Kaleikini hit a run-scoring double for the Vulcans (5-2). Montana State-Billings is also 5-2.
Gonzalez (1-1) worked 5 1/3 innings and yielded 11 singles and two doubles. Billie Derleth didn’t allow a hit in relief.