BOX SCORE

HILO, Hawai'i — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team saw its early struggles continue as the Penguins dropped their Pacific West Conference opener 75-53 to the University of Hawai'i, Hilo.

The Penguins (0-11/0-1) fell behind by 10 points in the first six minutes of action. Dominican trimmed the lead to six but saw the lead balloon to 18 by the intermission.

Senior guard Lavell Shipman led all players with 14 points for the Vulcans (11-3/3-0) . Senior forward Justin Smith added a dozen points and senior forward Brandon James posted 10 points. Junior forward Zach Wilde added eight points and led UHH with eight rebounds.

Sophomore center Killian Larson led the Penguins with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the loss. Senior forward Leon Hart and freshman center Connor Haysbert chipped in seven points apiece. Dominican's leading scorer, senior guard Adam Chavis, was limited to 18 minutes on the floor after feeling under the weather and finished his night with seven points. Junior guard Xander McNally scored a basket and dished out an assist in his return to the court.

The Penguins went 12-of-31 (.375) from the field and 2-of-7 (.286) from behind the three-point line. It was a forgettable night at the free throw line, as Dominican went just 9-for-16 (.563). UHH shot 29-of-63 (.460), including 3-of-10 (.300) from deep, and 14-of-18 (.778) from the charity stripe.

Dominican will now travel from Hilo to Oahu, where the Penguins will face Chaminade on Jan. 10, BYU-Hawaii on Jan. 12, and Hawai'i Pacific University on Jan. 14.