Hilo, HPU net wins in men's hoops

The men’s basketball Sea Warriors of Hawaii Pacific University defeated the St. Martin’s College Saints tonight 84-64. And yesterday in Hilo, the UH-Hilo Vulcans beat the Rangers of Drew University 86-44.

The HPU win extends the Sea Warrior’s winning streak to eight (10-1 for the season) and the New Jersey Saint’s losing streak to 12 (0-12 for the season). The UH-Hilo win puts them up 8-4 for the season, and the Washington Rangers down to 1-6.

In Honolulu, senior HPU center Leandro Maruoka led all scorers and recorded his third double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 54 percent from the field and going 8-of-10 from the free throw line. HPU guards Aaron Abrams, Nic Walters, and Marvin Noble also scored in double-digits for the Sea Warriors.

New HPU coach Russell Dung picked up his 10th career win in his first season, the team’s current 10-1 standing its best start since 1997.

In Hilo, Kyle Bartholomew scored 16 of his game-high 17 points in the first half. Four other Vulcans were in double-digit scoring with Osadonor Esene for 13, Derek Mgbeke for 12 and Albert Keim and Ryan Abrahams for 10 points each. The Vulcans forced a season-high 30 turnovers by Drew, and had 10 steals and two blocked shots.

The Sea Warriors next take on the Rangers on Tuesday.