SANTA BARBARA, California – It was a tough go for the Vulcans trying to overcome a 14-0 hole as the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball team were faded by Westmont, 63-42, Saturday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Murchison Gym.

Hawai'i Hilo just couldn't find the bottom of the basket in the opening period of play, going 0 of 12 from the field with half of those attempts coming from beyond the arc. The Vulcans got going in the second quarter but still faced a 30-15 deficit at halftime.

The Warriors managed to win the rebounding battle at a 45-27 clip while grabbing 18 offensive boards to just eight by the Vulcans.

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole led Hawai'i Hilo with 12 points and seven rebounds and fouled out of the contest with just over five minutes remaining in what could potentially be the penultimate game of her career.

Hawai'i Hilo is still alive and in contention for the postseason but will now need extra help in qualifying for the PacWest Conference Tournament.

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.

Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific, Point Loma and Dominican have clinched spots for the PacWest Championship.

Hawai'i Hilo still has a slim chance at qualifying but will need some help. It's a three-team race for the final two postseason berths — conference-newcomer Westmont is ineligible as it is in Year 2 of transitioning from the NAIA to the NCAA.

First of all, the Vulcans must win their regular-season finale next weekend against HPU.

SCENARIO 1: BIOLA IN, TIE WITH CUI

• Biola defeats either Academy of Art (Feb. 29) or Dominican (March 2) to claim No. 5 berth.
• Concordia University Irvine loses to Westmont (March 2) to finish 10-10.
• Hawai'i Hilo defeats HPU (March 2) to finish 10-10.

With one spot open, tie-breaker rules would go from head-to-head matchups (both 1-1 against each other) to records against teams in order of standings. Regardless of the final shakeup, both Hawai'i Hilo and CUI went winless against current No. 1 Azusa Pacific and 1-1 against current No. 2 Fresno Pacific. The Vulcans defeated Point Loma once while CUI was swept by the Sea Lions, giving Hawai'i Hilo the final spot in the conference tournament.

SCENARIO 2: THREE-WAY TIE

• Biola loses to both Academy of Art (Feb. 29) and Dominican (March 2) to finish 10-10.
• Concordia University Irvine loses to Westmont (March 2) to finish 10-10.
• Hawai'i Hilo defeats HPU (March 2) to finish 10-10.

With two spots open and a three-way tie between Hawai'i Hilo, Biola and CUI, head-to-head tie-breaker rules would punch postseason tickets for Hawai'i Hilo (3-1 record) and CUI (3-1 record) with Biola (0-4) the odd one out.

SCENARIO 3: CUI IN, TIE WITH BIOLA

• Biola loses to Academy of Art (Feb. 29) and Dominican (March 2) to finish 10-10.
• Concordia University Irvine defeats Westmont (March 2) to claim the No. 5 berth.
• Hawai'i Hilo defeats HPU (March 2) to finish 10-10.

With one spot open, a head-to-head tiebreaker between Hawai'i Hilo and Biola would put the Vulcans in the postseason after sweeping the Eagles during regular-season play.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to a 12-13 overall record (9-10 PacWest) while Westmont moved to 8-10 in conference play (12-14 overall).

The Vulcans return for one last home contest against HPU on March 2 for Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Hawai'i Hilo will be celebrating its lone senior Kamalu Kamakawiwoole.