HILO, Hawai'i – Mandi Kawaha dropped 30 points, but it wouldn't be enough as the Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball team fell to Concordia University Irvine, 84-79, Saturday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
CUI jumped out front with an early first-quarter run of 8-0 followed by an early 6-0 second-quarter scoring streak.
The Vulcans came racing out the gates to start the second half as Kawaha splashed 11 of the team's 13 points to make it just a two-point game at a 50-48 deficit. After 10 minutes of back-and-forth scoring, Kawaha sank another shot to make it a three-score contest, but the Golden Eagles extended themselves for the final time with an 8-0 run.
By The Numbers
- The 30 points was the second-highest output of Kawaha's career, splashing five 3-pointers while dishing out six assists. With 14 regular-season games to go, the fifth-year player is 140 points from reaching the top spot for career scoring in program history.
- Kamalu Kamakawiwoole followed with 18 points, four rebounds and two steals.
- Jenna Waki set a new career-high 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting while going 6 of 7 at the free throw line.
- CUI out-rebounded the Vulcans at a 37-19 clip.
- Jasmine Rachal matched with a 30-point performance (9-12 FG) while Teagan Thurman followed with 23 points and 17 rebounds for a double-double.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 5-7 overall, 2-5 PacWest while Concordia University Irvine moved to a 11-4 record (8-1 PacWest).
The Vulcans will be back in action Monday, Jan. 9 for a hoops doubleheader against Dominican (8-7 overall, 6-2 PacWest). The women will tip off at 5 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Golden Eagles will return home to host Point Loma Nazarene on Jan. 14.
Hawai'i Hilo and CUI will match up again Feb. 18 in Irvine, California.
