Honolulu, HI (1-12-11) – The Lady Sea Warriors basketball team continues to roll, now winners of seven straight contests. Hawaii Pacific won this physical battle over Academy of Art in the trenches, as HPU overcame a cold shooting night with stellar defense, rebounding, and good foul shooting. The 74-61 win upped HPU's record to 8-3 overall and 2-0 in conference. AAU falls to 4-9 and 2-2.
HPU's defense was swarming, forcing 24 turnovers, and held AAU to just 38.5% from the field. On the glass HPU won the battle, including 15 offensive rebounds. Senior Courtney Buster grabbed a game-high 11 boards, posting her second double-digit effort in as many games.
On the scoring end, HPU again spread the wealth, with three Sea Warriors posting double figures. Senior Jazzmin Awa-Williams led the way with 15 points, Junior Mana Hopkins posted 14, and Sophomore Melody Ladrido added 10.
Senior Jessica Nolan led AAU with 14 points.
In the first, HPU got a late run to give coach Jeff Harada's team a cushion at the half. A two-point lead at the 5:08 mark swelled to nine at the break. HPU benefited from extra possessions, attempting 10 more field goals that AAU. HPU was a near perfect 9-10 from the line.
In the second half HPU stretched the lead to 41-29 on a Hopkins jumper. AAU did not go quietly, as the lead was cut to four with 13:03 left in the game. HPU came right back to re-take a 12-point lead with just over four minutes remaining and coasted to the win.
Junior Taiyande Huskey had a game-high six assists, and was 2-3 from homerun range.
HPU next plays this Friday, January 14th against Dominican University at the Canon Activities Center on the campus of BYU-Hawaii in Laie.
Box Score
