HILO, Hawai'i – Caiyle Kaupu helped supply the offensive firepower from start to finish in putting up a career-high 28 points as Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball just narrowly fell to Point Loma, 58-55, Thursday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Kaupu was efficient with the ball posting up 68.8 percent from the field on 11-of-16 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers, including a late-game splash with just over a minute left to complete a self-made 7-2 run to put the Vulcans within striking distance at a 57-53 deficit. Keirstyn Agonias added another bucket to make it a two-score game with the last seconds ticking down, but the final two subsequent attempts by the Vulcans came up empty as PLNU escaped with the win.

It was a close affair throughout as the Sea Lions began to pull away early in the second quarter with their largest lead of nine points, but both teams began to struggle from the field to the benefit of the Vulcans to take just a five-point deficit into halftime.

Kaupu went 4 of 5 to open the half to bring the score to a tie at 33-all as Jazmine Soto followed up by adding five of her eight total points to put the Vulcans ahead. However, the Sea Lions managed to score 10 points in a row to help give the visiting team the advantage through the final 10 minutes of play.

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 1-4 in PacWest play (3-8 overall) as Point Loma moved to a 7-0 conference record (12-3 overall).

OTHER NOTES

• Junior Keirstyn Agonias totaled nine points to reach a career total of 602, moving past Kamalu Kamakawiwoole (22-24) to No. 9 all-time in the Vulcans program record books.
• Point Loma had three players finish with double-digit scoring figures, led by a double-double from Eiley Tippins (14 points, 6-9 FG, 11 rebounds).

UP NEXT: Saturday, Jan. 11 (5:30 PM) vs Biola (Hilo, Hawai'i / Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)