Second-place UH-Hilo taking extended break

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

After ending a three-game skid Monday, the Hawai'i-Hilo basketball team must now play the waiting game.

The Vulcans (16-6, 6-4 Pacific West Conference) are idle until Feb. 16, when they travel to Honolulu to play Chaminade.

"Not too happy with that," UHH coach Jeff Law said of the 12-day break. "But that happens in a six-team conference."

The Vulcans, who once led the PacWest, are now in second place, trailing Montana State-Billings by 2 1/2 games.

Coming off the long trip on the Mainland, Law will try to find some advantage with the extra time. He gave his players the day off yesterday and will probably give them the weekend off so they can catch up with their academics.

The win against Western New Mexico not only stopped UHH's losing streak, it came in convincing fashion (90-64).

"We did what no other team has been able to do: win there by more than 10 points," Law said. "That says a lot for our guys."

Meanwhile, Hawai'i counterparts Hawai'i Pacific, Brigham Young-Hawai'i and Chaminade are slowly creeping up on the Vulcans. The Sea Warriors (13-6, 4-3) and Seasiders (13-7, 4-3) trail by a half game, while the Silverswords (12-9, 5-5) trail by one game.

Upcoming games:

Friday

BYUH vs. HPU at Mid-Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 15

Western New Mexico vs. BYUH at Cannon Activities Center, 7:30 p.m.

Montana State-Billings vs. HPU at Mid-Pacific, 7:30 pm.

Feb. 16

Western New Mexico vs. BYUH at Cannon Activities Center, 7:30 p.m.

Montana State-Billings vs. HPU at Mid-Pacific Institute, 7:30 p.m.

UH-Hilo vs. Chaminade at McCabe Gym, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18

Western New Mexico vs. HPU at Blaisdell Arena, 7:30 p.m.

Montana State-Billings vs. BYUH at Cannon Activities Center, 7:30 p.m.

UH-Hilo vs. Chaminade at McCabe Gym, 7:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

• Double duty: The BYUH Seasiders will try to avenge Tuesday's doubleheader sweep by Augustana (Sioux Falls, S.D.) in a 1 p.m. doubleheader today at BYUH.

Meanwhile, HPU (1-1) will play host to Cal State-Stanislaus in a doubleheader at noon today.

The Sea Warriors face Augustana in a 2 p.m. doubleheader tomorrow at HPU Windward Campus.

Hawai'i-Hilo makes its season debut Saturday with doubleheaders against CSU-Stanislaus noon Saturday and Sunday.

Chaminade also opens its season with a doubleheader against Augustana, noon Saturday at Palolo Field.

Also on Saturday, BYUH travels to HPU for a noon doubleheader.

BASEBALL

• Rolling along: The HPU Sea Warriors open a five-game series starting tomorrow against Cal State-Los Angeles (3-8) at Hans L'Orange Park.

They will play doubleheaders tomorrow and Saturday starting at 4 p.m. each day and a single game Sunday at 7 p.m.

The Sea Warriors (6-9) close out a series against Arkansas Tech with a single game at 7 o'clock tonight at Hans L'Orange.

TENNIS

• Strong start: HPU's top-ranked men's team is off to a 3-1 start. It will face Abilene Christian 11 a.m. Wednesday at Kailua Racquet Club.