HILO, Hi. (Jan. 4) -- Nick Johnson and John Hubbard combined for 41 points as 15th-ranked Seattle Pacific University pulled away in the second half to post its sixth straight win, 90-76 over Hawaii Hilo in a Pacific West Conference men's basketball game late Thursday night.

Johnson (Jr., Burlington, Wa./Burlington-Edison) scored 12 of his 21 points after halftime while Hubbard (Sr., 6-5, Inglewood, Ca.) added 20 points, including 9-10 free throws, as the defending PacWest champions earned their first conference victory.

Brannon Stone (Jr., 6-9, Oak Harbor, Wa.) scored seven points, including one of his three 3-pointers during a decisive 19-4 run midway through the second half which gave the Falcons (1-1, 8-2) a 22-point cushion. The Vulcans (0-1, 5-5), who had won their last four games, never got closer than 12 thereafter.

Stone finished with 15 points and seven assists. Eric Sandrin (Jr., 6-10, Bothell, Wa./Shorecrest) added 16 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Seattle Pacific shot 57 percent from the field (31-54) led much of the first period but held only a 46-44 edge at the break, despite making 8-13 treys. In the second half the Falcons held Hawaii Hilo to just 32 points and 8-31 shots. The Vulcans' Alan Thomas led all scorers with 25 but the other four UHH starters managed only 21 points, shooting 8-29 from the floor.

SPU which was 10-20 outside the arc and 18-22 at the line, completes the trip Saturday night at Honolulu versus Chaminade.

SEATTLE PACIFIC --
Bellessa 0, Stone 15, Johnson 21, Hubbard 20, E.

Sandrin 16, Fox 2, Harris 5, Walker 5, Keely 0, Woodard 6, Cohen 0.

HAWAII HILO --
Prather 5, Bartholomew 3, thomas 25, Hogue 2, Ibia 11, LaQua 14, Shumate 4, Rogers 12, Kasch 0.

Halftime--SPU 46, UHH 44.