HILO, Hawaii – Senior forward Hunter Sweet scored a career-high 30 points but a late Alaska Anchorage comeback attempt came up just short Tuesday in a 75-72 men's basketball loss to Hawaii Hilo at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

The Seawolves (1-2) also got 13 points and seven rebounds from senior center Oggie Pantovic, plus 10 points apiece from guards Tobin Karlberg and Caleb Larsen in the battle of NCAA Div. II West Region foes.

The Vulcans (4-0) were led by 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting from Donald McHenry, along with 10 points and seven assists from fellow guard Darren Williams as they outshot the visitors 51 percent to 43 percent.

After trailing 42-35 at halftime and by nine points with 14:52 remaining, UAA began chipping away at its deficit. The Seawolves finally made it a one-possession game on Karlberg's putback layup to make it 61-59 at the 7:44 mark, and David Rowlands nailed a three-pointer to make it 63-62.

Rowlands followed with a tying free throw at the 6:06 mark, but the Vulcans would answer with 12 consecutive points over the next four-plus minutes.

The Seawolves had one last comeback as Karlberg and Larsen drained consecutive threes, and Sweet stole the ball and hit a trey with 1:03 remaining. The nine points in 45 seconds would be the final scoring of the game, however. Following a defensive stop, UAA worked the ball around for a look at a tying three, but Larsen's attempt from the top of the key bounced off the rim as time expired.

"I was proud of the fight we showed against a very good team in a tough environment tonight," said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne. "Unfortunately we just came up one shot short. I know our guys are tired, but they will be excited to get back to Anchorage and finally play some real home games after all this time."

A transfer from Concordia-Portland, Sweet shot 11 of 21 from the floor, including 4 of 7 from long range, along with four rebounds and two assists. The Oregonian surpassed his previous collegiate best of 29 points, set as a sophomore at Concordia against Cal State San Marcos.

Karlberg added eight rebounds – one shy of his career high – and junior forward Keegan Crosby delivered a career-high seven rebounds for UAA.

The Seawolves play their first regular-season home games since Feb. 2020 when they face Lincoln Christian on Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at the Alaska Airlines Center. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for tickets.