UH Vs. UH-Hilo (12/10/25)

Life in the islands is really good!

The University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team returned to non-conference play and dominated the Hawaiʻi-Hilo Vulcans, 98-46, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on Wednesday. It was Hawaiʻi's fifth straight win and the best start they have had since the 2015-16 season.

The 52-point win is also the third largest margin in school history, and the largest since January 1972 against Redlands when UH won by 57.

Harry Rouhliadeff led a six-pack of double-digit scoring 'Bows with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Dre Bullock was next in line with 12 points and four rebounds. Gytis Nemeikša, Isaac Finlinson, Hunter Erickson, and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor all chipped in 11 points each with Nemeikša adding eight rebounds, and Hunkin-Claytor adding five assists as well.

Rouhliadeff (5), Hunkin-Claytor (5), Erickson (4), and Nemeikša (4) all combined for 18 of UH's 25 total assists.

Jamal Entezami led the Vulcans with 11 points and four rebounds. He was followed by Jessiya Villa's 10 points. Villa also chipped in Hilo's only two assists.

UH meant business and began the game with an early 6-0 run that started with a Rouhliadeff layup. In less than five minutes, UH took an early 17-4 advantage that was capped by an Erickson triple with 15:26 remaining!

Hilo tried to make some pushes, but UH's 3-point shooting ruined any chance they had; ultimately, Hilo did not make a triple in the first half.

UH made shot after shot and sank a mind-blowing nine triples in the first half alone.

Of UH's 19 made field goals, all but two were assisted!

At halftime, UH doubled up on Hilo, 48-24. They took care of the ball well with just two turnovers committed in the first half to Hilo's seven! Finlinson led UH and all scorers with 11 after the first half.

UH did not let up at all in the second half. A Hunkin-Claytor triple began another early 6-0 UH run!

Later, UH went on another significant 11-2 run with Bullock scoring nine of those points. UH did not look back from then.

In the end, all but two Rainbow Warriors got in the scoring column. A.J. Economou came off the bench for a UH career-high seven points, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

The 'Bows committed four turnovers in the second half to total a season-low six. They pummeled the Vulcans in points off turnovers 24-7, second chance points 26-5, and fast break points 14-4.

UH improves to 9-2 in the 2025-26 season. They will conclude non-conference play and their 11-game homestand on Saturday, Dec. 13, against the UTEP Miners. Tipoff at the Stan Sheriff Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. HST, and you can listen to the game on ESPN Honolulu or watch the game on Spectrum Sports.