MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific was outscored 11-7 in overtime and fell to Hawaii Hilo 81-77 Thursday night at Felix Event Center.

The two teams played it close to the vest all night. There were 12 lead changes in the contest and the game was tied 14 times. Hawaii Hilo’s biggest lead in the game was six points and Azusa Pacific’s was five. The Cougars led by one (37-36) at the half. The Vulcans won the second half 36-35 to even it up at 72 heading into overtime.

In overtime the teams traded baskets through the first three minutes. APU’s Shad Thomas buried a three after Hawaii Hilo’s Jamal Entezami scored on a layup to begin the overtime. EJ Bryson got free inside for the Cougars to tie it at 77 but Entezami scored off of an offensive rebound to put the Vulcans back on top 79-77.

With just over two minutes remaining Thomas got to the rim for a basket to tie it again at 79. Julio Montes II rode in a driving layup with 1:58 left to give Hawaii Hilo an 81-79 lead. Still down by two with 27 seconds left Bryson missed a shot underneath after an APU timeout.

Montes then hit a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to ice it. The Cougars had one last shot but a three-point attempt bounced off the rim and the Vulcans had the victory.

The Cougars had five players in double figures. Thomas led the way with 24 points and he also pulled down 11 rebounds. DM Sanders scored 14 including four three-pointers and Parker Christensen added 12. Tobias Aisien and Bryson each had 11.

For Hawaii Hilo Montes took scoring honors with 22 and was a perfect 12 for 12 from the charity stripe. Alex Horiuk scored 19, Dre Nobles had 14 and Entezami finished with 13. The Vulcans outrebounded the Cougars 52-29 as Horiuk led the team with 14. Hawaii Hilo also had the edge in field goal percentage 46 percent to 36 percent for the game.

With the victory Hawaii Hilo improved to 4-15 on the season and 4-9 in the PacWest Conference. Azusa Pacific dropped to 6-10 and 4-7.

HH 36 36 11 83

AP 37 35 07 79