Despite perspiring conditions at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, the University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team got the final say over the UH-Hilo Vulcans, 64-61, in an exhibition match on Friday.

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Newcomer Gytis Nemeiksa led the 'Bows with 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Fellow newcomer Tanner Christensen logged a double-double of 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, which included the clutch game-winning 3-point play in the final seconds. Tom Beattie also logged 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

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Nadjrick Peat led the Vulcans with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Julian Roberts was next with 11, and Julio Montes II had 10. Roberts also nailed both of his 3-pointers out of the Vulcans' five total, all in the first half.

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The Vulcans shot out to score seven of the first 10 points while the 'Bows had to play catch-up for much of the first half. Hilo led for a good chunk of that first half, and despite numerous runs by the 'Bows, Hilo never trailed until the waning moments.

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The 'Bows, who were down by as much as seven in the first half, did not give in. Akira Jacobs would bank his one and only triple with 14:17 remaining to put the 'Bows down two possessions, 14-10.

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UH did not take the lead until a Nemeiksa layup with 7:03 remaining in the first half, but that was short-lived. Turnovers plagued the 'Bows in both halves, and Hilo hung close. However, back-to-back dunks by Nemeiksa and Christensen as part of a 10-2 run were enough to give the 'Bows the lead, 34-31, into halftime.

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Both teams combined for 19 turnovers (11 for the 'Bows) in the first half alone while the 'Bows led for just 92 seconds compared to over 18 minutes for the Vulcans.

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Neither team found a solid rhythm when the second half came around, and turnovers kept coming like wildfire. Shortly in, the 'Bows began to extend their lead to five, but the Vulcans did not back down.

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UH and UH-Hilo traded the lead nine times apiece, but it came down to the final few seconds.

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Kody Williams would hit the only 3-point shot of the second half with 12 minutes remaining to retake the lead, 45-44.

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With 47 seconds left, Beattie sank two free throws to tie the game at 61 apiece. After Hilo's Brody Davis missed a jumper with 28 seconds left, Beattie dished the ball to Christensen, who successfully completed the layup and was fouled by Jake Kosakowski. Christensen sank the free throw, but Hilo had one last chance to force overtime.

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Hilo's Peat put up a prayer from half-court, but it was no good, and the 'Bows held on for the narrow victory. The Vulcans committed just 11 turnovers, but they were a dismal 12-for-22 from the free throw line after not taking one in the first half.

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The 'Bows had committed an egregious 12 turnovers in that second half to total 23 for the game while the Vulcans committed just three.

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UH will now travel to Maui to take on the Chaminade Silverswords at the campus of Kamehameha-Maui in another exhibition match on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. HST.