The Hawaii men’s basketball team led much of the way of its second game of its Down Under tour, only to fall 86-85 to the Melbourne Tigers on a game-winner with 18 seconds left Monday night.

UH, after being beaten by 19 in its opener against the Brisbane Bullets, found its offensive touch, getting 26 points from guard Brocke Stepteau and 16 more from freshman center Mate Colina, a Melbourne native. Another freshman from Australia, Owen Hulland, added 12 points.

But its defense was lacking, as the Tigers of SEABL hit several late 3s and Jeremy Kendle (27 points) hit the go-ahead shot at Melbourne’s Veneto Athletic Club.

“We’re getting exposed in areas, and let’s see how we handle that,” coach Eran Ganot said in a postgame video supplied by UH. “Right now we’re not playing very good basketball, we’re not defending, we’re not really supporting each other. We’ve been, like I said, exposed, and better now than later. Hopefully we’ll make some adjustments, take some more pride in how we prepare, how we defend, how we play like a team.”

UH now heads to Canberra to face the Centre of Excellence at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (9:30 p.m. today in Hawaii).

U.S. men’s volleyball team goes 0-3

The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with three players from Hawaii on the roster, went 0-3 in last week’s friendlies at Argentina.

In Friday’s series finale, setter Micah Ma’a (Punahou) had the U.S. hitting .397 in the 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-12 loss in Gorky Grana Stadium in Moron, Argentina. Ma’a added three kills and an ace.

Outside hitter Kupono Fey (Punahou) played briefly, finishing with a kill, while libero Tui Tuileta (Punahou) did not play. The assistant coach is University of Hawaii assistant Milan Zarkovic.

The U.S. used the friendlies to prepare for the Pan American Cup that begins today in Veracruz, Mexico, and next month’s FIVB World Championships in Italy.

Kalaheo graduates sign with UHH hoops

Kalaheo graduates Kaleb Gilmore and Kupaa Harrison are returning to the 50th state after signing with the University of Hawaii Hilo men’s basketball team, the school announced Monday.

Gilmore, a 6-foot guard, spent the past two seasons at Jacksonville College in Florida. Gilmore suited up for Chaminade out of high school. Harrison, a 6-5 forward, played two seasons at Orange Coast College in California.

Gilmore and Harrison led the Mustangs to the 2015 state Division I championship.

Asing, Zietz eliminated in Tahiti

Hawaii’s Keanu Asing and Sebastian Zietz were eliminated in the second round of the Tahiti Pro on Monday in Teahupoo, Tahiti.

Asing lost to Brazil’s Michael Rodrigues 12.90 to 11.37, while Zietz fell to Brazil’s Jesse Mendes 10.03 to 9.70.

The only Hawaii surfer remaining is Ezekiel Lau, who will surf against Brazil’s Michael Rodrigues in the third round. Lau advanced directly to the third round after winning his first-round heat.

Lu opens with 75 at U.S. Amateur

Moanalua graduate Shawn Lu shot a 4-over-par 75 and fellow Na Menehune alum Tyler Ota carded a 77 in the first round of stroke-play qualifying at the U.S. Amateur on Monday in Pebble Beach, Calif.

Mililani’s Spencer Dunaway, a Kamehameha graduate, shot a 9-over-par 81.

Lu is tied for 138th, Ota is tied for 166th and Dunaway is tied for 268th. The leaders are at 4 under.

The top 64 after today’s second round of qualifying will advance to match play.