Celebration shot after Mindy Kawaha's basket in overtime courtesy of Joe Poellot/UHH.

HILO, Hawai'i– The UH Hilo women's basketball team stepped up to the challenge against nationally ranked No. 5 Alaska Anchorage, pulling off an epic 76-73 upset in overtime.
 
UH Hilo snapped undefeated Alaska Anchorage's eight-game winning streak. The Seawolves will fall 8-1 overall while the Vulcans improve 5-2. 
 
Jenna Waki put the Vulcans on the board in the first quarter with a lay up (2-0). The Seawolves were quick to answer back with a three by Nicole Pinckney which the Vulcans in turn responded with a three by Sara Shimizu (5-3). 
 
The Vulcans held on to their lead throughout the frame and a good free throw by Mindy Kawaha closed out the first quarter for the Vulcans (17-15). 
 
UH Hilo started with the ball in the second quarter and got the first basket once again, this time by Nikki Miller (19-15). 
 
A jump shot by UAA's Kimani Fernandez put the Seawolves in a one-point reach (23-22) but Alaska Anchorage wasn't able to push past the Vulcans' lead. The Red and Black continued to score and Mandi Kawaha made a jump shot that extended their lead to 27-24. 
 
Sierra Cavaletto gave UHH their largest lead of the game with a little less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Cavaletto stole the ball off a Seawolf pass and made her way down the court to score a Vulcan bucket (31-24). 
 
After a media timeout, Mandi Kawaha hit a trey to widen UH Hilo's lead 34-26 and the Vulcans ended the half leading the Seawolves 36-30. 
 
The Vulcans won the first basket of the third quarter (once again) off a lay up by Waki (38-30). 
 
The Seawolves picked up the pace and were appearing to pick up some momentum after making back-to-back shots when head coach David Kaneshiro called a timeout to break up the action. 
 
With a little over a minute remaining, Heaven Samayoa-Mathis scored three points off a good lay up and free throw (49-44) and then got another scoring opportunity with a little less than 30 seconds remaining, sinking in another bucket that put the Vulcans up 51-44. 
 
A three by Shimizu began the Vulcans' fourth quarter setting them up with a 10-point lead (54-44). Back-to-back threes' by Mandi Kawaha and Samayoa-Mathis put UH Hilo up, 60-50. 
 
With 4:36 on the clock, the Seawolves worked back to make it a four-point game, but the Vulcans refused to let down. Two good free throws gave UHH some cushion, increasing the Red and Black's lead 62-56. 
 
 A little less than two minutes remaining and a basket by UAA's Jazzpher Evans tied up the game 64-64. Both teams battled to take the game-winning point, but great defense on both sides led to overtime. 
 
UAA's Lauren Johnson scored the first three-point bucket of overtime, taking the Seawolves first lead of the game. Samayoa-Mathis quickly matched Johnson's three with a three-pointer of her own, knotting the score 67-67. 
 
The Seawolves took the lead again at 69-68, until Waki tied up the game with a free throw (69-69). 
 
UAA's Sala Langi got back-to-back baskets, stealing the lead back, 73-69. 
 
The Vulcans, refusing to give up, closed the gap to 73-71 with two good free throws by Waki. 
 
The Kawaha sisters delivered what would end up being the final blows with back-to-back buckets to take the game back 76-73. 
 
Alaska Anchorage made their last attempt, calling a timeout with 13 seconds left on the clock. Right out the gate, the Seawolves attempted a three-point play but were shut down by the Vulcans who brought home an incredible 76-73 upset. 
 
The Stats
Mandi Kawaha led UH Hilo with 21 points and six assists. Samayoa-Mathis was the next highest Vulcan scorer with a career-high of 15 points, followed by Waki and Miller with 12 and 10 points respectively. 
 
UH Hilo shot an impressive 50 percent in the field. Mandi Kawaha was 2-for-2 behind the arc, Samayoa-Mathis was 3-for-5, Shimizu was 2-for-5, and Waki was 1-for-2. 
 
Mandi Kawaha also led at the free throw line, a solid 7-for-8, followed by Waki who was 5-for-6, Samayoa-Mathis who was 2-for-3, and Mindy Kawaha who was 1-for-2. 
 
Miller collected nine rebounds, followed closely by Kayla Revelo who had seven. The Vulcans were quick on their feet taking five steals by five different players: Mandi Kawaha, Samayoa-Mathis, Mindy Kawaha, Ravelo, and Cavaletto all had a steal a piece. 
 
To view the women's basketball schedule, CLICK HERE.