A 24-day layoff did little to solve the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s defensive and rebounding shortcomings.
No. 10 Cal Baptist hit 12 3-pointers and dominated the glass Tuesday night, handing the Vulcans a 104-84 loss in Riverside, Calif.
In falling to 0-8, the Vulcans (0-4 Pacific West Conference) allowed 100 points for the second consecutive game and third time this season and their opponents are now averaging 91.9 points per game.
Parker Farris scored 24 points on five 3-pointers for UH-Hilo, which never got its deficit below 10 points after Kalidou Diouf hit two free throws early in the second half.
Taj Spencer scored 21 points for the Lancers (12-2, 3-1) and Gelaun Wheelwright made five 3-pointers en route to 19 points.
UH-Hilo put five scorers in double figures, but Cal Baptist was deeper, shot 52 percent and commanded a 50-28 rebounding edge.
The Vulcans, who are still without the services of 6-foot-6 senior forward Darius Johnson-Wilson, are being outrebounded by a margin of 13 boards a game.
Seeing his first actions this season, 6-foot-6 senior Salim Gloyd scored 15 points with six rebounds for the Vulcans. Jordan Russell finished with 14 points, Vandyon Lockett added 13 points and six assists and Patrick Ball had 10.
Lady Vuls lose
Kamille Diaz led all scorers with 26 points and the No. 4 Lancers put six players in double figures for an easy 96-53 victory over UH-Hilo.
Cal Baptist (11-1, 3-1) shot 54 percent and made 15 of 27 from 3-point range, taking a 53-19 lead at halftime.
“It wasn’t a good effort on our part,” coach David Kaneshiro said. “We need to learn from it.”
Freshman Kim Schmelz continues to be a bright spot for the Vulcans (1-7, 1-2), scoring 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting to up her team-leading average to 14.8.
Sydney Mercer added 16 points before fouling out. UH-Hilo shot just 21 of 64 from the floor.
The men’s and women’s teams continue the road trip Thursday against Concordia in Irvine, Calif.