SAN RAFAEL, California – The Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball team started round-two action of the Pacific West Conference season with a 67-54 loss to Dominican Friday afternoon at the Conlan Center.
The Penguins jumped out in front with 20 first-quarter points and took a 12-point lead into halftime. Dominican opened the second half out-scoring the Vulcans, 10-5, to extend itself for a 17-point advantage.
A 9-0 Hawai'i Hilo run brought the deficit down to just single digits, but the Vulcans closed the final four-plus minutes of the game shooting 2 of 9 from the field as the Penguins took the win.
With seven games to go in the regular season, the Vulcans sit tied at the No. 7 spot with Academy of Art. The top six teams will qualify for the PacWest Championships in early March as Point Loma Nazarene (8-6) currently holds the sixth spot.
The Penguins also defeated the Vulcans earlier in January, 75-60.
By The Numbers
- The Vulcans shot 33.8 percent from the field (22-65 FG) as the Penguins finished at 50.9 percent (29-57 FG) for their second-best outing of the season.
- Mandi Kawaha totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds for a fifth-career double-double to go along with seven assists and three steals.
- Keyonee Neal led Dominican with 26 points (13-19 FG), 10 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. Brittney Cedeno followed with 13 points, 10 boards and three takeaways.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo fell to 7-12 overall, 4-9 PacWest while Dominican moved to a 13-8 record (11-3 PacWest).
The Vulcans wrap up their northern California road slate against Academy of Art on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Walter Gleason Gym on the former campus of Notre Dame de Namur University. The women will tip off at 1 p.m. local Pacific Time (11 a.m. Hawai'i Time) followed by the men's game at 3:30 p.m. PT (1:30 p.m. HT).
The two teams previously met Jan. 16 in Hilo with the Vulcans winning, 60-48.
Hawai'i Hilo will return for two final home games on Feb. 8 and Feb. 11.
The Penguins will host HPU on Jan. 29.
