BOX SCORE

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team lost a tough decision on Saturday evening at the Conlan Center, falling 68-65 to visiting University of Hawai'i, Hilo in Pacific West Conference play.

Killian Larson nailed a pair of free throws to give Dominican (3-10/0-2) the early 2-0 lead. The game remained tight throughout the first half, with Austin Bryan's three-pointer giving Dominican a five-point edge inside 13 minutes. Lavell Shipman's three-point play tied things at 27 with 4:23 to go in the first half. Neither team took larger than a two-point lead the rest of the first half and the two teams entered halftime deadlocked at 35.

Xander McNally started the first half with a quick bucket in the paint but three straight baskets gave UHH the four point lead. Alex Ward's jumper tied things back at 41 but five straight points by Bryan Ngo gave the Vulcans a 48-43 advantage with 14:25 to play. Another Bryan three-ball gave Dominican the 55-54 lead but that was the last time the Penguins would hold the lead. UHH rallied back again, taking another five-point lead with 6:30 to go. Dominican cut the lead to two on an Alastair Flack jumper under three minutes and the Penguins had a chance to tie the game on the final possession but a three-point attempt didn't fall.

Bryan led Dominican with 17 points and added six rebounds. Ward finished the night with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Larson finished the night with nine points.

Ngo led all players with 23 points while Justin Smith added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Shipman reached double digits with 11 points.

The Penguins continue the search for their first victory on Thursday, Jan. 14 when Grand Canyon University comes calling. Tipoff at the Conlan Center is set for 7:30 p.m.