HILO, Hawai'i – Mindy Kawaha posted a career-high 19 points, putting in more than half of the Vulcans' final points through the last minutes of action to help lead Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball to a 74-64 victory over Concordia University Irvine in Pacific West Conference action Thursday evening at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

It was a fast-paced back-and-forth affair with 11 tied scores and seven lead changes. Kawaha splashed her fourth of five total 3-pointers at the top of the fourth quarter, but CUI managed a 9-0 run to bring the score back knotted up at 61-all with under six minutes remaining. Caiyle Kaupu (16 points) responded with buckets on ensuing back-to-back possessions to put the Vulcans back out front as Kawaha, Keirstyn Agonias and Noelle Su'a-Godinet hit free throws to help seal the victory.

"I was injured last year ... so after I could actually do stuff — work out, you know — I stayed committed. I stayed motivated. This is how my work paid off," Kawaha said.

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 1-2 in PacWest play (3-6 overall) as Concordia moved to an 0-5 conference record (1-11 overall).

OTHER NOTES

• The first contest of the new calendar year also brought along some much-needed depth with three more Vulcans (Melanie Hiu, Kaile Cruz and Su'a-Godinet) returning to the lineup after missing significant action through the early months of the season.
• Agonias finished with 18 points (7-11 FG), six rebounds and two assists.
• Jazmine Soto totaled 10 points in her second start of the season.
• CUI's Izzy Navarro scored a game-high 28 points and Cadence Tarrant finished with a double-double (11 points, 16 rebounds).

UP NEXT: Saturday, Jan. 4 (5:30 PM) vs Westmont (Hilo, Hawai'i / Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)

SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets for 31 total Vulcans Basketball home events are now available. Online purchase available at HiloAthletics.com/Tickets.

VIDEO LIVESTREAM: Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball video livestream packages are now available for purchase online through the recently-launched PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. The 2024-25 season includes 17 total home broadcasts for $191.25. Prorated prices are available up until the midway point of the season. More information at HiloAthletics.com/livestream.