BELMONT, California – With the lead in hand after a back-and-forth battle down the stretch, the Vulcans' offense cooled off as the Academy of Art scored the final nine points to take a 50-44 win over the Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball team Sunday afternoon in Pacific West Conference action at the Walter Gleason Gym.
Hawai'i Hilo overcame a first-half 10-point deficit by swinging back with an eight-point second-half-opening run. After four more ties, the Vulcans re-gained the lead with just under three minutes remaining on a Mandi Kawaha basket followed by a steal from Jenna Waki and Kawaha again in transition.
But from there, the Vulcans went cold and committed three costly turnovers while coming up empty on four shot attempts as ART U sank seven free throws to take the late lead and the win.
The Vulcans now sit at No. 8 in the conference standings with ART U one spot ahead. The top six teams will qualify for the PacWest Championships set for early March at Chaminade University of Honolulu on O'ahu. Six games remain in the season for the Vulcans.
The two teams previously met Jan. 12 in Hilo with the Vulcans winning, 60-48.
By The Numbers
- Mandi Kawaha led with 15 points, four assists and four steals. The fifth-year senior is now 24 points away from tying the program's all-time scoring record. Her current season total of 353 moved her up one spot for most in a single season, surpassing Hina Kimitete (2009-10) at 347.
- Keirstyn Agonias followed with 10 points (5-7 FG), six rebounds and three assists.
- Kamalu Kamakawiwoole totaled seven boards with two blocks and three steals. The senior now has 25 total takeaways on the season, moving past Hillary Hurley (2011-12), Allie Navarette (2017-18) and Kamie Imai (2013-14) — each with 23 — to No. 2 for most in a single season.
- Hawai'i Hilo finished the game going 2 of 6 from the free throw line as Academy of Art shot 14 of 21 (66.7 percent). The Vulcans were charged with 17 fouls compared to the Urban Knights' eight.
- The Vulcans had a season low of just two 3-pointers (13.3 percent) made, going 0 of 6 in the second half.
- Both teams matched season highs in takeaways with the Vulcans totaling 12 steals and the Urban Knights with 13. ART U also had a season-best six blocked shots.
- Alisha Wilson led the Urban Knights with 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals. Lauren Manns and Jadence Clifton each led with 12 points apiece.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo fell to 7-13 overall, 4-10 PacWest while Academy of Art moved to a 5-15 record (5-9 PacWest).
The Vulcans return to the Big Island to host their final two games of the season, first with Holy Names on Feb. 8 with tip-off set for 5 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The two teams just met Jan. 22 in Oakland with the Vulcans winning, 65-34.
Hawai'i Hilo will be hosting its annual Play4Kay game where fans are encouraged to wear pink in honor of the late Sandra Kay Yaw, a longtime former women's basketball head coach at North Carolina State University and the USA National Team. Yow passed away in 2009 from stage 4 breast cancer.
