AZUSA, Calif. – Try as they might, the Cougars were unable to snap their now three-game skid Saturday evening, falling to Hawai'i Hilo by a final score of 69-63 inside the Felix Event Center.

How It Happened: The visiting Vulcans gave the Cougars a dose of their own medicine, taking an early lead just over four minutes in on a three-point shot, the first of eight they would make in the first half.  They would hold onto the lead for most of the first half, constantly finding an answer each time the Cougars drew close and slowly building a 10-point margin at 23-13 just past the 10-minute mark.  After a run by each team left the Vulcans up 34-26 with four minutes left in the half, the Cougars made their move, with Charlie Geller keying a 9-0 run that would see the Cougars regain a narrow 35-34 edge that would hold up until halftime.

Unfortunately, the Vulcans would quickly regain control of the game when they returned from the locker room, opening the second half on a 14-4 run over the first six minutes, taking the lead for good.  The Cougars would make a series of efforts to close the gap, but the Vulcans kept having an answer.  Eventually the Cougars would draw within two points at 63-61 with 30 seconds to play, but the Vulcans were able to salt the game away at the free throw line in the closing seconds.

By the Numbers: Gehler and Maui Sze tied for the team lead with 12 points in the game.  Kaleb Taylor had a strong game in the middle, finishing with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  As a team, the Cougars had an abnormally cold night shooting from long distance, making only 6 of 25 three-point attempts, including just 1-11 in the second half.  It was the bench that kept the Cougars in the game, with the reserves outscoring their Vulcan counterparts, 29-10.  The loss snapped a three-game winning streak against Hawaii Hilo, though the Cougars still lead the all-time series 15-7.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific (9-9, 4-6 PacWest) will wrap up their three-game homestand on Monday when they look to return to the win column against Hawai'i Pacific.  Tipoff against the Sharks in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.