Box Score Photo Gallery

HILO, Hawai'i — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team began the new year with an 82-75 Pacific West Conference victory at UH Hilo on Saturday. It was Dominican's fourth straight victory over the Vulcans (2-10/0-4) and helped the Penguins (7-4/3-0) start things off right on their three-game swing through Hawai'i.

After trailing 40-37 at halftime and having shot 13-of-33 (.394), plus just 8-of-13 (.615) at the free throw line in the first half, Matt Hayes' jumper to open the second half was a breath of fresh air and got Dominican moving in the right direction, yet the Penguins continued to exchange baskets with the Vulcans.

Finally, Dominican took the lead, 48-47, thanks to a Devin Golston free throw, followed by a pair of Ricky Wofford steals that resulted in fast break layups for the senior guard. The lead exchanged hands again before Dominican broke the tie with eight straight points on a three-pointer from Myles Carrillo, free throws from Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten and Carillo, and a nice find under the hoop from Dominique Taplin to Jammall Clark thad made it 72-64.

UH Hilo threatened late though. Five straight Vulcans points, punctuated by wide-open Michael Hearn dunk with 38 seconds to go cut the lead back to just two, 76-74. Golston, who led all players with a career-high 25 points, pushed the lead back to four at the other end with a jumper and free throws from Golston and Clark iced things.

Golston's six rebounds were also a team-high for Dominican. Clark added 14 points, four rebounds, and a pair of steals. Dominique Taplin reached double digits for the second time this season with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Wofford contributed nine points, a pair of assists, and three steals. Centers Connor Haysbert and Jacob Noisat each grabbed five rebounds apiece as the Penguins just edged UH Hilo on the glass, 33-32.

“It's always tough, getting that first game after having traveled the day before,” said Dominican Head Coach Booker T. Harris of playing on the road. “It tests your mental toughness and you have to find a way to get the most out of your 12 players energy-wise under all the conditions.”

Dominican now travels to the island of Oahu and will face Chaminade University of Honolulu on Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. HST, then face Hawai'i Pacific University on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 5:00 p.m. HST in Honolulu's Neal S. Blaisdell Center.