UH-Hilo ends HPU's run at title in PacWest

Advertiser Staff

With no chance of winning the Pacific West Conference title, University of Hawai'i-Hilo decided to play the spoiler.

Derek Mgbeke scored 19 points to lead four teammates in double figures as Hawai'i-Hilo defeated Hawai'i Pacific, 78-72, last night at Afook-Chinen Civic in Hilo.

With HPU's loss, Montana State-Billings captured the conference title with a 10-5 record after beating Western New Mexico, 106-83, last night in Billings.

UH-Hilo improved to a 8-6 in conference and 18-8 overall. HPU fell to 8-6 and 17-9. The two teams play tonight at 7:15 at the Afook-Chinen Civic.

Kyle Bartholomew added 16 points, David LaQua 14, Scott Prather 13 and Ryan Hogue 10 for the Vulcans.

Nash Spajic scored 17 points and Nash Subotic 12 for the Sea Warriors, who need to beat UHH twice to capture the title. HPU and Montana State-Billings would have finished with 10-5 records, with the tie-breaker going to the Sea Warriors.

BYU-Hawai'i 91, Chaminade 78: Alexus Foyle scored 25 points, Scott Salisbury added 19 and the Seasiders rallied from a 40-32 halftime deficit to defeat the Silverswords in a PacWest game last night at McCabe Gym.

In the second half, BYUH (18-9 overall, 9-5 PacWest) made 20 of 32 field goal attempts (62 percent) and 19 of 26 free throws, while Chaminade (16-10, 8-6) made 15 of 30 field goals (44 percent) and just 4 of 7 free throws.

Kashif Reyes scored 19 points and Mike Donegan 15 to lead the Silverswords.