FRESNO, California – Not one, not two, not three ... but five was the final count of attempts the Sunbirds had at tying the game in the final seconds, but the Vulcans defense prevailed as Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball continued its push for the postseason with a 60-58 victory over Fresno Pacific Thursday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Special Events Center.
Erica Ingram led Hawai'i Hilo with eight rebounds and a season-high 15 points (three 3-pointers), including the Vulcans' final bucket from the field to take a 58-56 lead with a minute and half remaining.
Fresno Pacific managed to tie the game with 45 seconds left on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line, but Kaile Cruz quickly drove down the either end of the court and drew the foul on her driving shot attempt. Taking just the Vulcans' eighth and ninth attempts of the night — in contrast to FPU's 20 total free throw attempts — Cruz drained both shots for the 60-58 advantage.
The Sunbirds had possession through all final 35 ticks of the contest but they came up empty as Hawai'i Hilo held on for the win to continue fighting for a postseason berth.
Thursday's match was a tight battle with 14 tied scores and 17 lead changes. The Vulcans shot 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, posting a second-highest percentage of .538 of the season.
The two teams previously met in Hilo in early December with the Sunbirds winning, 70-58.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 12-12 overall record (9-9 PacWest) while Fresno Pacific moved to 12-5 in conference play (18-7 overall).
The Vulcans wrap up their road trip back down in Southern California against Westmont (Feb. 24) before returning for one last home contest against HPU on March 2 for Senior Night.
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 still just on the bubble at No. 7 behind Biola (9-8) and Concordia University Irvine (10-8).
Fresno Pacific, along with Point Loma (12-6) and Azusa Pacific (18-0), have already clinched spots for the PacWest Championship.
