The Brigham Young-Hawaii men's basketball team is ranked in the NCAA Division II national rankings for the first time ever. BYUH into rankings
The Seasiders are No. 20 after getting off to an 11-2 start, 5-1 in the Pacific West Conference.
"We used to be nationally ranked regularly as an NAIA school, but now that we're in Division II it has taken some time to build the respect necessary to get the attention of the rankers," BYUH coach Ken Wagner said. "But it's going to be tough to maintain it because we go on the road for the next four games, and one loss and we could be back out."
The Seasiders, who joined the NCAA Division II in 1998, plays at Chaminade on Friday and against Hawaii Pacific on Feb. 12, followed by a pair of games at Hawaii-Hilo.
UH-Hilo basketball team prevails over HPU
Hawaii-Hilo 83, Hawaii Pacific 67: At Hilo, Osadonor Esene scored 23 and Ryan Abrahams added 20 as the Vulcans improved to 13-6 overall and 5-2 in the Pacific West Conference.Nic Walters led the Sea Warriors (13-6, 2-5) with 19 points, and Leandro Maruoka had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Hilo's Ryan Hogue had a double-double, chipping in 26 points and 10 rebounds.