SAN DIEGO, California – The Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball season came to a close Thursday evening with a 77-60 loss to Point Loma Nazarene at Golden Gymnasium to wrap Pacific West Conference play.
An 8-1 run in the final two minutes of the opening quarter and a later 16-2 run to open the first five minutes of the second half fueled the Sea Lions toward victory for their largest scoring output of the season.
The Vulcans finished the game strong with nine consecutive points as they held PLNU to zero scores in the final three minutes of play.
Thursday's game capped the Vulcans careers for four seniors: Sierra Cavaletto, Bree Olson, Jenna Waki and Mandi Kawaha.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Mandi Kawaha led the Vulcans with 17 points and will finish with top 10 single-season program rankings at No. 1 in field goals (168), No. 2 in free-throw percentage (84.2 percent), No. 3 in points (464), No. 3 in points per game (17.8) and No. 4 in assists (101).
- Kamalu Kamakawiwoole finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and a season-high four blocks as the senior-transfer set a new program single-season record with 32 blocks.
- Mindy Kawaha totaled 12 points for her sixth double-digit scoring game of the season.
- Haylee Saurette led the Sea Lions with 27 points and nine rebounds.
A HUI HOU
- Mandi Kawaha finishes her five-year career with 114 games played (111 starts), 1,485 points scored (No. 1 all-time in program history), 13.0 points per game (No. 5), 142 3-pointers (No. 2), 255 free throws (No. 2), 438 assists (No. 1), 474 rebounds (No. 3) and 179 steals (No. 2). The Hilo-native also set the single-game scoring record with 36 points earlier this season. Kawaha plans to pursue professional-playing opportunities overseas.
- Jenna Waki wrapped up her four-year career of 88 games played in (85 starts), 511 points scored, 138 free throws, 246 rebounds and 123 assists. Waki places No. 9 all-time in free throws and No. 8 in assists.
- Bree Olson spent four seasons for the Vulcans after previously playing at Colorado Christian University and Pima Community College. At Hawai'i Hilo, she'll finish ranked No. 6 with 338 rebounds. Olson has already earned a bachelor's in Kinesiology & Exercises Sciences but will add another in Administration of Justice this spring.
- Sierra Cavaletto transferred in after two seasons at Santa Barbara City College and will have played in 42 games for the Vulcans. Last season, the California-native splashed six shots from beyond the arc and totaled 22 points against Chaminade to help set a single-game team record for 3-pointers. Cavaletto will continue her career at Rome City Institute while pursuing a master's degree.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo and 13th-year head coach David Kaneshiro finishes the season at 10-16 overall, 7-13 PacWest while PLNU moved to a 13-7 PacWest record (15-13 overall).
The six-team PacWest Championships postseason tournament runs March 2-4 at Chaminade University of Honolulu and includes Azusa Pacific, Dominican, CUI, HPU, PLNU and Biola.
Mahalo for your support of Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball this season.
