HILO, Hawai'i – After a tough back-and-forth opening half, the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team were dropped by Point Loma, 68-49, Tuesday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Teams traded points through the first five minutes of play before trading runs. PLNU managed to put together a 12-0 scoring streak but the Vulcans responded right back for six-straight points to end the first period at a 16-12 deficit.
After the Sea Lions opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run of their own, Hawai'i Hilo sank 7 of 11 from the field to end the first half with just a six-point differential.
The second half was a slightly different story as the Sea Lions slowly ripped the bandage off by managing to shoot 63.6 percent in the third quarter. Point Loma closed out the last seven minutes of the period with an 18-5 run to make it a 59-38 score.
Overall, the Sea Lions managed to string together their best three-point-shooting percentage of the season, going 9 of 16 at a .563 clip.
Hawai'i Hilo shot just 25.0 percent with just one made 3-pointer in the final 20 minutes.
Kamalu Kamakawiwoole totaled 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Vulcans.
The two teams previously met earlier this month on Jan. 6 in San Diego with the Vulcans victorious, 74-71.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 6-10 overall record (3-7 PacWest) while Point Loma moved to 5-5 in conference play (9-9 overall).
The Vulcans return for five more contests at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, hosting Azusa Pacific (Jan. 27), Chaminade (Feb. 3), Biola (Feb. 8), Concordia University Irvine (Feb. 10) and HPU (March 2).
Saturday's matchup with Azusa Pacific has been moved up 30 minutes to a 4:30 p.m. start time.
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 continues to fight for a spot, sitting a three-way tie for No. 8 in the standings. Point Loma holds the No. 6 slot.
Azusa Pacific is at the top with a 10-0 record.
