HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team raced by Academy of Art, 68-58, Monday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Nursing a four-point lead at the top of the second quarter, Hawai'i Hilo added on with a 12-3 run with three-point splashes from Jeniece Harmon and Erica Ingram. The remaining six points came courtesy of Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, who tallied a team-high 16 points.

"They were crashing the paint today so the kicks were there and we just knocked it down," Kamakawiwoole said of the Vulcans, who hit seven total 3-pointers. "I think we're finally coming together we're just sharing the ball more, learning how to play together and just working harder."

Jazmine Soto further widened the gap with a quick 10 points (4-4 FG) through the first half of the final quarter, finishing with a season-high 13 points.

Keirstyn Agonias added 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting along with three of the Vulcans' 14 steals, matching a season high.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 6-8 overall record (3-5 PacWest) while Academy of Art moved to 3-6 in conference play (4-11 overall). The two teams will meet again Feb. 17 in Oakland, California at Laney College.

After a quick trip to O'ahu to take on HPU (Jan. 20), the Vulcans will return for five upcoming contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, hosting Point Loma (Jan. 23), Azusa Pacific (Jan. 27), Chaminade (Feb. 3), Biola (Feb. 8) and Concordia University Irvine (Feb. 10).

PATH TO PACWEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The top six teams at the end of the regular season will make it to San Diego for the 2023-24 PacWest Conference Tournament set for March 7-9 at Point Loma's Golden Gymnasium.

Hawai'i Hilo is just outside the bubble at No. 7 while Academy of Art slots in at a two-way tie for the No. 8 spot.

Azusa Pacific is at the top with an 8-0 record.