By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific was outscored 17-6 to start the second half to fall behind by 10 points and was never able to recover in a 69-63 loss to Hawaii Hilo Saturday at Felix Event Center.
The Cougars were up 35-34 at halftime but Hawaii Hilo came out firing after the break. Julio Montes II completed a three-point play, Isaiah Hinds hit a bucket and Telryn Villa buried a three during the onslaught. With 11:32 left in the contest Hawaii was up 51-41 and the Cougars weren’t able to dig out of the hole.
Azusa Pacific was able to cut it two at 63-61 when Maui Sze hit a driving layup with over seven minutes left. But Hawaii Hilo hit some key free throws down the stretch and the Vulcans were able hold the Cougars off. Jake Kosakowski and Montes both stepped up and sank two free throws over the last four minutes to seal the victory.
ln the first half Charlie Gehler scored 10 points for Azusa Pacific to lead the way. Kaleb Taylor also had seven points and six rebounds. The Cougars were down by 10 early before answering to lead by one at half.
Kosakowski was huge in the first half for Hawaii Hilo hitting 6 of 7 from three-point range and had 18.
The Vulcans then came out of the gate with the big run and had enough to get the win. Kosakowski led Hawaii Hilo with 20 and was 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. Montes had 17 and Hinds was also in double figures with12. The Vulcans shot 43 percent from the field and 47 from three.
For the Cougars Gehler and Sze each scored 12 points and Taylor had 10 and nine rebounds. APU shot 44 percent from the field but just 24 percent from three-point land.
Hawaii Hilo improved to 11-6 overall and 4-3 in the PacWest Conference with the victory. Azusa Pacific fell to 9-9 and 4-6.
HH 34 35 69
AP 35 28 63
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