Vulcans fall to Toros in opening game of 2025 Southwest Airlines Big Island Invitational

The 2025 Southwest Airlines Big Island Invitational — bringing top NCAA Division II men’s basketball teams to the Vulcan Gym — kicked off today (Nov. 22) and continued tonight and Sunday (Nov. 23).

This year’s field features host University of Hawai‘i at Hilo along with NCAA National Championship runner-up Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal Poly Pomona and Colorado Colorado Springs.

“We’re thrilled to bring high-level Division II men’s basketball here to the Big Island,” said sixth-year Vulcans head coach Kaniela Aiona in announcing the invitational. “This is a great opportunity to compete against tough, well-coached teams not only for ourselves, but also for our fans to be able to watch right here in Hilo.”

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Athletics Director Patrick Guillen said the university is grateful that Southwest Airlines is helping make the invite possible.

“Their partnership allows us to welcome these programs to experience the beauty of this special place we call home,” Guillen added in the announcement. “Hilo has a rich basketball history going back to the days of the late legendary Coach Jimmy Yagi, and we’re proud to be able to host more exciting competition for our community to see.”

Tickets for Sunday’s games are available for purchase online and at the door.

Each contest also is available on-demand and for streaming on the PacWest Network.

The Vulcans took on Cal State Dominguez Hills earlier today, coming out of the contest with a 61-57 loss against the 2024-25 NCAA National Championship runner-up.

Dominguez Hills scored 37 points in the first half and 24 in the second. The Toros outpaced University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s 16 points in the first half, but the Vulcans made a major effort in the second half to come back, scoring 41 points to Dominguez Hills’ 24, but it just wasn’t enough.

Jamal Entezami led University of Hawai‘i at Hilo in scoring, with 17 points for the game. Montes Julio II and Alex Horiuk also made it into the double digits, each with 12 points.

Horiuk also had a double-double, with 14 rebounds in the game, and he was the top rebounder for the Vulcans. Brody Davis was second in rebounds for the host team with 10 and Entezami was third with 6. University of Hawai‘i at Hilo had a total of 43 rebounds against the Toros.

Entezami made 4 of 5 free throws, while Montes II was 100 from the line, making 2 of 2.

The Vulcans went 6-for-32, or 18.75%, for field goals in the first half and made a massive improvement in the second, going 17–for-30, sinking 56.67% of their shots. They were 0-for-8 in the first half on 3-pointers, but again improved in the second, downing 4-for-9 long shots for a 44.44% shot ratio.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo was a total 23-for-62 on field goals for the game, making 37.1% of the shots attempted, and 4-for-17 on 3-pointers, or 23.5%.

The Vulcans face off against Cal Poly Pomona at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Fans are encouraged to Red Out the gym by wearing red for Sunday’s game against the Broncos — the first 200 attending fans will receive a free T-shirt.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BIG ISLAND INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

• Nov. 22 (2 PM): University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (57) vs Cal State Dominguez Hills (61)
• Nov. 22 (4 PM): Colorado Colorado Springs vs Cal Poly Pomona
• Nov. 23 (NOON): Colorado Colorado Springs vs Cal State Dominguez Hills
• Nov. 23 (2 PM): University of Hawai‘i at Hilo vs Cal Poly Pomona

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BIG ISLAND INVITATIONAL COMPETITORS

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT HILO VULCANS

Hilo, Hawai‘i; Pacific West Conference

• Head Coach: Kaniela Aiona (Sixth Season)
• 2024-25 Record: 19-13 Overall (11-9 PacWest)
• 2024-25 Finish: PacWest Tournament Semifinals
• 2025-26 Conference Preseason Poll: No. T2
• Current Record: 0-2 Overall
• Stats Leaders: #7 Jamal Entezami (12 points/game), #21 Alex Horiuk (.625 FG%), #2 Julio Montes II (6-10 3PT), #20 Brody Davis (7.0 rebounds/game)

CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS

Carson, Calif.; California Collegiate Athletic Association

Head Coach: Steve Becker (12th Season)

• 2024-25 Record: 30-6 Overall (20-2 CCAA)
• 2024-25 Finish: CCAA Champions, NCAA West Regional Champions, NCAA National Championship Runner-Up
• 2025-26 Conference Preseason Poll: No. 1
• Current Record: 1-2 Overall
• Stats Leaders: #5 Dasean Stevens (18.7 points/game, 3.7 assists/game, 6 rebounds/game), #24 Josiah Sanders (.588 FG%)

CAL POLY POMONA BRONCOS

Pomona, Calif.; California Collegiate Athletic Association

Head Coach: Greg Kamansky (26th Season)

• 2024-25 Record: 18-11 Overall (13-9 CCAA)
• 2024-25 Finish: CCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
• 2025-26 Conference Preseason Poll: No. 2
• Current Record: 2-0 Overall
• Stats Leaders: #1 Demarreya Lewis-Cooper (18.5 points/game), #11 Malcolm Bell (.500 FG%, 6.5 rebounds/game, 3 steals/game)

COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS (UCCS) MOUNTAIN LIONS

Colorado Springs, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Head Coach: Jeff Culver (14th Season)

• 2024-25 Record: 17-12 Overall (11-9 RMAC)
• 2024-25 Finish: RMAC Tournament Quarterfinals
• 2025-26 Conference Preseason Poll: No. 4
• Current Record: 1-1 Overall
• Stats Leaders: #5 Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq (17 points/game, 11 rebounds/game), #1 Mario Williams Jr. (.700 FG%), #2 Xavier Martinez (5.5 assists/game)