HILO, Hawaii – Fresno Pacific shot 57 percent from the floor and received 26 points from Spencer Krannitz and 23 points from Mike Crawley, but the Sunbirds' second-half comeback fell just short against Hawai'i Hilo 97-92 on Thursday night in a shootout at UHH Gymnasium.
 
FPU falls to 4-18 overall and 4-11 in league action with the setback, while the Vulcans improve to 7-14 overall and 5-10 in the PacWest.
 
After being down by as many 17 in the first half, the Sunbirds used a 54 point second period to nearly escape Hilo with a win. With nine minutes to play, FPU used a 14-5 run the next six minutes to cut the lead to 90-86. Oliver Herting sparked the stretch with six points. The Vulcans answered with a three from Parker Farris, however, to put the game away.
 
Krannitz finished the night with four threes, eight rebounds and one block in addition to his team-high 26 points, while Crawley scored his 23 on 10-of-12 shooting and added five rebounds and one block. T.J. Viney added 16 points, five assists and four rebounds, Herting scored 10 points and R.J. Horn added eight points, four rebounds and two assists.
 
The Sunbirds' 57 percent clip from the floor was their second highest output of the season. The Vulcans countered at 51 percent, including 50 percent from three (13-of-26). UHH won the rebounding battle 39-30.
 
Parker Farris led the Vulcans with 29 points, while Ryley Callaghan added 24 points and eight assists. Brian Ishola recorded a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.
 
FPU continues its Hawaiian road trip with a game against #3 Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.