AZUSA, California – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball opened a five-game road slate through Southern California with a 75-64 defeat to Azusa Pacific on Thursday evening in Pacific West Conference play at the Felix Event Center.

Just four points separated the two teams near the top of the fourth quarter, but Azusa Pacific managed to put together a 14-2 scoring spurt (6-8 FG) to pull away for a double-digit advantage — nine of those points were scored by APU senior Lauren Jones, who had a career outing by dropping 32 total.

The Vulcans jumped out to early leads through the opening half, but a 6-0 run by APU through the last minute of action brought the margin to just two points at the break.

GAME NOTES

• Kaile Cruz: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Keirstyn Agonias: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Tavina Harris: 8 points, 7 rebounds
• Mindy Kawaha's 100th career game played in.
• The two teams will play again Feb. 21 in Hilo for the Vulcans regular season finale.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 5-13 Overall (3-10 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
  • Current Standing: No. T10
• Azusa Pacific: 13-5 Overall (9-2 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 5
  • Current Standing: No. 2

UP NEXT

• Saturday, Jan. 31 (3:30 PM) vs Westmont (Santa Barbara, California)
• Tuesday, Feb. 3 (5:30 PM) vs Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)
• Thursday, Feb. 5 (3:30 PM) vs Biola (La Mirada, California)
• Saturday, Feb. 7 (3 PM) vs Concordia (Irvine, California)
• Thursday, Feb. 12 (5 PM) vs Jessup (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)

PACWEST PRESEASON POLL

Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 11 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans finished the 2024-25 regular season tied at No. 10 in the conference standings. The six-team 2025-26 PacWest Championships will be hosted by PLNU on March 5-7 in San Diego.