HONOLULU, Hawai'i – It was a tight opening half of play but the Sharks managed to pull away as the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team succumbed to HPU, 66-52, Saturday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at The Shark Tank.

Hawai'i Hilo twice jumped ahead by its largest margin of five points in the opening period but couldn't quite pile it on. Coming out of a 31-32 halftime score, the teams traded points until the Sharks managed to begin pulling away with back-to-back 3-pointers late in the third quarter.

A total of just five points were scored between both teams through the first half of the final period before HPU extended its lead to double digits to ride out for the win.

Keirstyn Agonias led the Vulcans with 16 points, nine rebounds, one steal and four blocks. Jeniece Harmon followed with 11 points.

After splashing four 3-pointers in the first half, the Vulcans went 0 of 10 the rest of the way, shooting just 25.9 percent overall from the field in the final 20 minutes. At the free throw line, Hawai'i Hilo made 14 of 22 (.636) while HPU finished at a .786 clip (22-28 FT).

HPU managed to heavily win the rebounding battle, 42-27, while gathering 16 offensive boards to convert for 18 second-chance points.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 6-9 overall record (3-6 PacWest) while HPU moved to 3-5 in conference play (4-9 overall). The two teams will meet again March 2 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

The Vulcans return for five more 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).

Next Tuesday's matchup will be Rally Towel Giveaway night to the first 300 fans. Halftime prizes will also be on the line courtesy of Orchid Isle Ford.

PATH TO PACWEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

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. 8 while HPU is now a smidge ahead at No. 7.

Azusa Pacific is at the top with a 9-0 record.

PACWEST HAWAI'I CHALLENGE

In an effort to elevate Hawai'i-based rivalries, the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge has awarded the top school in athletics competition among the state's Division II institutions going back to the late 1970s.

Comprising 10 sports that all three schools participate in, points are awarded from head-to-head Pacific West Conference matchups as well as final placements at conference-ending championship events. The team with the highest total gets three points while the second highest gets two and the third-place finisher receives one.

At the end of the fall 2023 season, Chaminade held a one-point lead as Hawai'i Hilo and HPU finished tied with a score of eight.