HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Basketball opened its final stretch of home games with a thrilling 60-52 victory over Jessup on Thursday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The Vulcans fell behind by 10 points at the 6:10 mark of the third quarter but remained within striking distance over the next 10 minutes of action. Keirstyn Agonias scored 11 of the Vulcans' final 19 points, including a go-ahead bucket with 3:28 on the clock for 48-47 lead. Jessup managed to land a game-tying 3-pointer to make it 50-all with just over a minute to go, but Agonias responded with a drive straight down the center lane for the layup and the foul.
Tavina Harris scored six of her game-high 18 points (8-8 FG) in the final quarter, extending the Vulcans' lead on a putback shot off a missed free throw attempt.
Agonias added a pair of free throws before Mindy Kawaha put the game away for good after sinking four free throws on back-to-back technical fouls called on the Jessup bench — resulting in an ejection of Warriors head coach Corey Laster.
"We all just wanted to play together and just enjoy the last couple games we have and leave it all out there," senior Melanie Hiu said. "I thought we shared the ball really well throughout the whole game so everyone kind of contributed in their own way. I think we just played really well — even the bench. The bench was really into the game so that gave us energy when we needed it. It's nice to get a win especially with the small amount of players we have, but I think it's good to soak it in and use it as motivation for the next game."
Hawai'i Hilo once again was down to just seven players available in rotation.
GAME NOTES
- Hawai'i Hilo: 6-17 Overall (4-14 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
- Current Standing: No. T11
- Jessup: 6-18 Overall (4-14 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 9
- Current Standing: No. T11
- Previous Matchup: UHH 52, JU 60 (Jan. 3 in Rocklin, California)
UP NEXT
- Saturday, Feb. 14 (5 PM) vs Point Loma (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Tuesday, Feb. 17 (5 PM) vs Fresno Pacific (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
- Thursday, Feb. 19 (5:30 PM) vs Chaminade (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
- Saturday, Feb. 21 (4 PM) vs Azusa Pacific (Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium)
