Science Hill escapes with win over Hilo

Hilo's Kaukahi Alameda (13 points) rises up past Science Hill defenders for a layup. Brandon Ching | SL

It wasn't pretty, but Science Hill found a way.

The visiting team from Johnson City, Tennessee trailed early, inched into the lead midway, then weathered a late Vikings' surge in a 63-57 victory over Hilo in the opening round of the Punahou Invitational at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

From outset, Hilo greeted the Hilltoppers with a barrage of three-pointers, four in all, in building a 23-17 margin. Kaukahi Alameda accounted for seven points in the quarter, which included a four point play.

The Vikings' lead quickly evaporated as Science Hill went on an 8-0 run to open the second quarter, and used a significant size advantage to eventually tie the game at 30, before Mason Galima's prayer at the end of the half was answered to inch the Vikings back ahead at the intermission.

The third quarter opened much like the second did, as the Hilltoppers went on a 10-3 scoring spurt to build a six point advantage. That margin extended to as great as eight points before Hilo mounted a comeback, with a Galima three and a Guyson Ogata layup was followed up by a pair of free throws by RJ Solmerin to cut the margin to a single point at the 4:26 mark of the fourth.

Down the stretch, the Hilltoppers post players proved to be too much for the smaller Vikings' front line, and a Hunter Phillips' basket extended the lead to 59-52. Hilo resorted to fouling late to rally back, but Science Hill made four of six from the charity stripe to ice the win.

Phillips led Science Hill with 14 and Amare Redd added 12 in the win.

Hilo had three players hit double digits. Alameda led the way with 13, Rayson Padilla added 12 points and Ogata notched 10 for the Vikings, who also got 7 points and 8 rebounds from Lama Pama.

Next up for Science HIll is Saint Louis II, who defeated Le Jardin in the opening game of the Invitational, 39-22.