The UH-Hilo men’s basketball team buried 15 of 26 or 58 percent from beyond the arc but still lost to Azusa Pacific 95-82 on Thursday at Azusa, Calif.
How exactly does that happen?
Well, the Vulcans had more turnovers, 13-9, and the Cougars wiped the glass and got far, far more rebounds, 40-27.
The blocking-out issue was compounded by defensive lapses after giveaways. APU outscored UHH off turnovers by a wide margin, 21-10.
The Cougars also made 12 of 27 from long distance and had balanced scoring with six players in double-digits, led by Will Ferris’ 22 points.
Eric Wattree scored 23 points, Ryley Callghan 18, Devin Johnson and Will Burghardt 16 each for the Vuls (6-18, 5-12 PacWest), who have dropped five straight.
The Cougars (18-8, 14-4) led 44-42 at halftime but outscored UHH 51-40 in the second half, roaring on a 10-2 run to open the third quarter.
Women
APU 81, UHH 62: The Vuls lost their ninth in a row with just seven healthy players.
The UHH women had trouble on the glass. The Cougars outrebounded them, 58-41.
Allie Navarette scored 21 points and had 14 rebounds while Danielle Dacosta added 18 points and Sara Shimizu had 10 points for the Vuls (6-14, 4-13).
Gabrielle Kaiser scored 21 points and had 10 boards for the Cougars (25-3, 17-2), who led 38-25 at halftime.
Softball
The Vulcans games against Chaminade at McKinley High School on Oahu were canceled because of rain.
The nonconference game will not be made up as the teams are set to play Pacific West Conference doubleheaders on April 15 in Hilo and on May 5 in Honolulu.
The Vulcans (8-3) are scheduled to play Central Washington on Friday at McKinley.