It's a lot to say Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, and she was a lot to handle in Hawai'i Hilo games last week. She scored 44 points and had 15 rebounds to earn Player of the Week. Alaiyah San Juan had a monster game that included seven steals in a win over HPU to gain Defender of the Week. Meanwhile, it was business as usual as Azusa Pacific won two more to improve to 6-0 in the PacWest.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hawai'i Hilo's Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, G-F, Sr., 5-11, Kaimuki, Hawai'i
Hawai'i Hilo's Kamalu Kamakawiwoole had two huge games against two of the best teams in the PacWest on the road. The fifth-year senior, who came to Hilo two years ago from Utah State, had the game of her career against Point Loma on Saturday. She hit two three-pointers inside the final minute, including one with 11 seconds left, to hold off the host Sea Lions during a 74-71 upset, on her way to a collegiate best 27 points, the highest total in the PacWest this season. She got there on efficient 11-of-15 shooting and also had eight rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals.
Earlier in the week against the league-leading Cougars, the 5-11 swing player had 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals, giving her 44 points, 15 rebounds, six blocked shots and six steals for the week.
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK: Dominican's Alaiyah San Juan, G, Jr., 5-3, Millbrae, Calif.
Dominican's Alaiyah San Juan thad a big game on both ends of the court during the Penguins' 65-60 victory over HPU. The junior guard had a season-high seven steals to garner her the Defender of the Week award, the second highest mark in the PacWest this season. But she also had a game-high 19 points, 15 of them in the second half. She added five rebounds and helped the Penguins improve to 11-3 on the season and 4-2 in conference play. The third-year Dominican guard has 24 steals in 14 games this year, and the 19 points and seven steals were both season highs.
COUGARS CLAIM ANOTHER TEAM OF THE WEEK AWARD
The PacWest Team of the Week is Azusa Pacific. The Cougars won their seventh and eighth straight games, moving to 12-3 overall and 6-0 in the PacWest. APU jumped out to a 19-9 lead against upset-minded Hawai'i Hilo and then held off the Vulcans the rest of the way for a 68-61 win. Kelly Heimburger had 16 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots. The Cougars had four players in double figures, including Amayah Kirkman who also had 16 points. APU had an easier run against Chaminade a few days later, rolling to a 82-55 victory. Kirkman had 15 points and seven boards to pace her team, who is all alone in first place and have not lost since November 21.
REGIONAL WATCH: The PacWest has two teams in the top four and three squads in the top eight in the last D2CIDA West Region Women's Basketball Poll. The Cougars checked in at No. 3, with Dominican at No. 4 and Fresno Pacific 8. The poll comes out each Tuesday (Dec. 19), with the next poll scheduled for Jan. 9. Here is the last list, with records through Dec. 18. (1) Montana State Billings 10-3, (2) Western Washington 8-2, (3) Azusa Pacific 8-3, (4) Dominican 9-2 , (5) CS San Marcos 6-3, (6) Central Washington 9-3, (7) Sonoma State 7-2, (8) Fresno Pacific 8-2, (9) Stanislaus State 9-5, (10) CS Los Angeles 5-4. RV--Cal Poly Pomona, Point Loma.
PACWEST NEWS AND NOTES: Six teams are at the top of the conference standings, all with records above .500--Azusa Pacific (6-0), Fresno Pacific (4-1), Dominican (4-2), Point Loma (4-2), Biola (4-3), and Concordia (4-3)...Second-place Fresno Pacific lost its first game in conference play against Point Loma, 52-48 last Wednesday. That snapped a five-game Sunbird win streak in a battle that saw eight ties. Eiley Tippins had 13 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Sea Lions...Concordia won its lone game of the week with a 69-58 conquer of Chaminade. Stephanie Lee had 18 for the Golden Eagles, while Sameera Elmasari had ten points, six rebounds and five steals for the Silverswords...Westmont put up 101 points, the highest total in the PacWest this year in a 40-point win over Academy of Art. The Warriors had six players in double figures, paced by big numbers from Kristan Yumul (17 points, 10 assists), Sage Kramer (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Madi Borgan (11 points, eight rebounds, six assists). ART U was led by Maddie Morrow's 21 points...Fresno Pacific bounced back from their loss with a solid 58-50 win over Biola. Three players had 12 points for the Sunbirds--Breanna Hurt, Anisa Rillo and Felicia Dourva.
THIS WEEK IN THE PACWEST: 11 PacWest games are on the slate this week as conference action heats up. It begins on Wednesday with Concordia at Fresno Pacific, Westmont at Azusa Pacific and Biola at Point Loma. On Thursday, Academy of Art is at HPU and Dominican is at Hawai'i Hilo. Saturday's full slate features Dominican at Hilo, Point Loma at Fresno Pacific, Biola at Azusa Pacific, Academy of Art at Chaminade and Westmont at Concordia.
