HONOLULU--Tired of playing each other in practice, the University of Hawai`i Manoa and the University of Hawai`i Hilo squared off in a women's basketball exhibition between sister schools on Wednesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The NCAA Division I Rainbow Wahine won as expected, 84-63, in front of 1,659 fans. But it was mission accomplished for both squads as they were able to play in a game situation and try different line-ups before the real season begins.

That will happen on November 11 for Hawaii when they travel to USC, and on Nov. 18-19 for the Vulcans when they play in Laie at the Seasider Classic.

Sophomore guard Kim Schmelz led Hawai`i Hilo with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Asia Smith had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Sydney Mercer added 10 points. Hawaii's Briana Harris led all scorers with 17 points.

The visiting Vulcans held a 3-2 lead moments into the contest after a Mercer three-pointer and were later tied with the Rainbow Wahine at 16-16 after a jumper by Smith. But the home team then went on a 12-2 run and never trailed after that. UH Manoa led at the halftime break (48-33) and pushed that lead to 20 points at the end of the third quarter (67-47). The Vuls trailed by 13 points at one juncture of the third quarter (54-41) after a Schmelz trey, but they would get no closer than that to the 2016 Big West tournament champions and NCAA tournament squad. Hawai`i hit 11 three-pointers in the contest.

The Rainbow Wahine are picked to finish third in the Big West Conference this year, while the Vulcans are tabbed eighth in the Pacific West Conference. 

"I thought that we played hard and showed flashes of good things on both offense and defense," said UHH head coach David Kaneshiro. "I am excited to get back into the gym and work towards our season opener on November 18."