There’s a difference between Division I and Division II basketball as UH-Hilo learned on Thursday in a second straight loss at the Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The University of Pacific, not to be confused with the Division III Pacific University Boxers, defeated the Vulcans 85-74 in what was an exhibition for UHH, which lost in most of the major stat categories. The Tigers shot better (54% to 45%), rebounded better (36-28) and handled the ball a bit better (14-15 turnovers).
To those who love Rainbow Wahine volleyball, Pacific is a familiar and infrequent opponent. The Wahine last played the Tigers in 2016 and swept them at the Stan Sheriff Center. Prior to that, UH won in five sets in 2012 at the Sheriff Center.
Aniwani Tait-Jones scored 21 points on 7 of 13 shooting, while Darren Williams, Donald McHenry, and Ethan Jetter had 11 points each for the Vulcans, who begin the craziest travel schedule in UHH history.
Luke Avdalovic scored 17 points, Jeremiah Bailey 16, Pierre Crockrell II 14, and Alphonso Anderson 10 to lead the Tigers (1-1), who were picked to finish to finish eighth in the 10-team West Coast Conference, the mid major dominated by Gonzaga, picked to win its 10th straight title.
UHH flew back home and will host the Simpson Redhawks, an NAIA school from California, at 7 p.m. today at Hilo Civic in a game that counts.
Then the Vulcans fly back to Oahu to face Division I Northern Colorado at the Rainbow Classic on Saturday in a game that counts.
UHH then flies back home to host Simpson again at 3 p.m. Sunday at Hilo Civic.
After one day of rest, the Vulcans host Alaska Anchorage in a nonconference game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hilo Civic.
