For most of the season, UH-Hilo has been on an emotional roller-coaster whether it would make the PacWest postseason or not.
And the worst part was, entering the regular-season finale against Chaminade, that the Vulcans didn’t control their own destiny. They had to count on different scenarios taking place.
In the end, Academy of Art beat Biola 61-57, and that eliminated UHH and its shot at the tiebreaker for the No. 5 and 6 spots to the six-team playoffs.
It didn’t help matters that Chaminade, an annual PacWest power, deflated the Vulcans 82-80 on Saturday night at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, where UHH’s fate was sealed right before tipoff.
Looking back, there are a couple of games the Vulcans let slip through their fingers and will be kicking themselves. They blew a 20-point second-half lead to Biola at home on Feb. 4. They also squandered an 18-point halftime lead to Holy Names at home on Dec. 17.
Win those two and the Vuls are in the postseason for the first time since the postseason tourney started in 2012, and they could tout their senior-transfer infusion a rousing success.
Long-distance shooter and rim attacker James Griffin, from Australia, Larry Bush, from UNLV, both played just one season for the Vuls, who also missed the services of big Devin Johnson, who was out with an injury.
At least, UHH got the feel-good vibes out of the way early. Before the game, seniors Griffin, Bush, Johnson, and Denhym Brooke were honored.
Jordan Graves led a balanced effort with 15 points, Bush added 14 points, Kupaa Harrison had 13, Griffin 12, and Cleo Cain had 10 points for the Vuls (12-14, 10-12 PacWest), who shot 51 percentage, including 6 of 16 from 3-point range.
Tyler Cartaino and Erik Scheive each scored 22 points, and Andre Arissol added 15 points for the Silverswords (22-6, 16-6), who converted 51 percent, including 7 of 17 from long distance.
“Whenever it comes down to the last day of the season, and you have a chance to go to the playoff, it’s OK,” UHH coach GE Coleman said. “I’m proud of our seniors and their character.”
While UHH’s trademark was its pickpocket defense — second in the PacWest in turnover margin 4.72 — the flip side was its lack of size, and that woefully hurt on the boards.
The Vulcans were second to last on offensive rebounding and last in defensive rebounding, which cost them extra possessions and ultimately a few victories.
From a data analysis standpoint, Chaminade entered the game with the top scoring average of 81.3 points per game. An obvious first-half goal should have been to limit the Silverswords to under 40 points in the first half.
That didn’t happen.
Another goal should have been to neutralize the opponent’s top threat. That was Grant Dressler, who entered the game with a 19.4 ppg average.
He scored six points on 2 of 7 shooting in the first half. Mission accomplished on that part. Dressler finished with 10 points.
However, the Silverswords shot 52 percent from the field, including 4 of 10 from beyond the arc, to grab a 42-34 halftime cushion. Chaminade made its money getting inside position and banking in close-range shots off the glass.
Cartaino did a number on UHH’s defense with 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting in the first half. That’s the mark of a good team: shut down one guy and someone else steps up.
Griffin opened the second half with a 3-pointer, and a few plays later Harrison got a steal and layup to cut Chaminade’s lead to 44-43.
Scheive, who looks like he spends his free time in the weight room, posted up the and pumped in a pair of jump hooks for a 48-43 lead and much-needed breathing room.
Late in the second half, Graves scored, Griffin drilled a 3-pointer, and Brooke scored over Scheive to tie it 73-73 with 3:45 remaining.
Brand new ballgame from an eight-point halftime hole.
After a timeout, Scheive put in a left-handed shot to give Chaminade a slim 75-73 lead, but Harrison scored on a three-point play, a dunk and free throw, to push UHH ahead 76-75 with 2:37 left.
Scheive posted again, drew a foul and sank a pair of free throw as the Silverswords leapfrogged in front 77-76 with 2:13 to go.
The teams traded baskets and Brooke scored off an assist from Harrison. It was UHH ahead 80-79 with 14.1 seconds remaining.
The Vuls needed a stop. Chaminade needed to take a good, clean shot. The visitors won that battle when Arissol was left all alone on the wing and swished a 3-pointer for an 82-80 lead with 0.5 showing on the game clock.
The Vuls needed a full-court Hail Mary miracle. That, like UHH’s shot for the postseason, came up short.
