FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific outlasted Hawaii Hilo, 106-96, on Thursday night behind Gabe Solarin's 28 points and eight threes. Solarin scored 11 straight points in a two-minute stretch to give FPU the lead for good late in the second half as the Sunbirds earned their third-straight win.
 
FPU avenged its loss earlier in the year to the Vulcans and improved to 12-9 overall and 7-7 in league action with the win. UHH falls to 5-13 overall and 5-9 in the PacWest.
 
"We got off to a great start and really shot the ball well," said head coach Tim Kisner. "Give credit to (Hawaii) Hilo, they started to make some shots and made us work. I thought our guys found a way to win, and at this time of the year you have to be able to persevere. I'm very proud of our effort tonight."
 
Solarin made 8-of-12 shots on the night for his co-game high 28 points, while Madison Higgins added 24 (12-12 FT) for the Sunbirds. Spencer Krannitz chipped in with 17 points (6-13 FG) and seven rebounds, T.J. Viney added 14 points and seven assists, and Suhail Mohammadi closed the night with 10 points.
 
FPU led by as many as 15 in the first half and held a 54-47 advantage at the intermission. The Vulcans stormed back in the second half, however, and eventually led 85-83 with 3:40 left. Solarin answered for the Sunbirds with a two straight threes, and after a free-throw from UHH, the senior followed with a pair of free throws and another three to put FPU up eight, 94-86, with 1:42 to play. The Sunbirds held on the rest of the way with free throws to earn the victory.
 
"Last night at the scout and film, we talked about opportunity," said Kisner. "Sometimes that opportunity knocks and sometimes it doesn't, but you have to be prepared and ready when it comes. Gabe responded well and really carried us down the stretch with some big shots. That's what you want out of your upperclassmen."
 
The Sunbirds finished with 14 threes on the night, including 10 in the first half, and shot 47 percent from the field. FPU out-rebounded the Vulcans 36-32 and out-scored UHH 17-2 in fast-break points.
 
Vandyon Lockett finished a perfect 12-of-12 from the floor for the Vulcans and amassed 28 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
FPU continues PacWest play on Saturday against conference-leader Concordia at 4:30 p.m.