Basketball: Harrison powers Vuls with more last-second drama

RICK OGATA UH-Hilo's Kupaa Harrison hit a game-winning last-second jumper for the second consecutive game on the Vulcans' road trip.
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Kupaa Harrison was a game-saving hero again for the UH-Hilo men’s basketball team.

The senior forward hit a go-ahead layup with 14 seconds left to lift the Vulcans over Notre Dame de Namura 64-63 on Thursday in Belmont, Calif., helping UHH to its second straight win.

Trevor Thompson nailed a 3-pointer for a 60-57 lead with 2:01 remaining. But Isaiah Duplechan answered with a 3-pointer to tie it with 1:41 left.

The Argonauts hit one of two free throws for a 61-60 lead with under a minute.

Then Harrison answered with a layup to cut the lead to 62-61 with 46 seconds to play.

Ajay Singh hit a layup to push the Argos ahead 63-62 before Harrison hit his game-winner.

Jalen Thompson scored 15 points, sinking 5 of 10 on 3-pointers, and Harrison had 14 ponts, and Duplechan had 12 points for UHH (11-11, 9-9 PacWest), which shot 45 percent from the field, including 8 of 16 from 3-point range.

Elisha Duplechan had a well-rounded game with seven points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals as did Steven Hubbell, who had nine points on 3 of 3 shooting from beyond the arc and seven rebounds.

Thompson scored 18 points, Singh had and Stephen Bailey had 14 points each for the Argonauts (3-22, 2-16).

UHH moved into a tie for fifth place in the conference standings while NDDN has a firm hold on last place.

Women

NDDN 64, UHH 51: The Argonauts led from start to finish and held UHH’s Allie Navarette to 10 points on 3 of 12 shooting in Belmont, Calif.

Kim Schmelz led the Vuls (8-14, 7-11) with 15 points, and Mandi Kawaha had 10 points. Navarette finished with 19 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the year.

Cheyenne Jankulovski missed only two shots on her way to 13 points to lead the Argonauts (8-16, 6-12), and teammate Auren Isaacson added 12.

NDDN scored the first three baskets of the game and never trailed. The hosts led 28-21 at halftime and stretched the lead to 46-32 heading into the fourth period.

UHH shot 34 percent from the field, including 3 of 16 from beyond the arc and made 12 of 17 free throws.

The Vuls play the final game of a four-game road trip at 1 p.m. Saturday at Dominican.