Riverside, CA (January 19, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific women's basketball team got a road victory over PacWest Conference frontrunner California Baptist, 77-68. Mana Hopkins was again sensational with 21 points to lead HPU.

HPU came out strong and led for the first 17 minutes of the game, the high water mark came at 11:04 to play in the opening half when HPU led 23-12. CBU came back strong to take the lead late in the half, however a three-pointer by Susannah Walmsley with: 24 left gave HPU a two point lead at the break.

The second half was hotly contested, but similar to the first, HPU led most of the way. A nine point lead at 14:44 evaporated and HPU found itself down 65-63 with just over three minutes to play. Then, Hopkins hit a three to give HPU a lead that it would not relinquish. HPU went 4-5 from the line in the last three minutes.  

Taiyande Huskey had another solid game with 13 points and six rebounds. Paris Gravely added 15 points and five steals before fouling out for the second consecutive game. Melody Ladrido posted nine points, six rebounds, and five assists, doing most of her damage in the first half. Walmsley had an efficient eight points; she was 3-3 from the floor, two of them three-pointers.

HPU held CBU to 37% (25-68) from the field while shooting 45% (29-64) itself. HPU also used the three-point shot to its advantage, going 10-28 (36%) as CBU went only 4-20 (20%). HPU also had good ball movement, winning the assist battle 16-11.

Cal Baptist had its 12 game winning streak snapped and is now 12-2 overall and 5-1 in the PacWest. The Lancers were led by Britney Lewis' game-high 24 points.

HPU (10-6, 4-2) puts itself back in the thick of the conference race; three teams now have one loss in conference play with HPU and two others all with two conference losses. HPU's next five games are with teams that are currently in the one or two loss category.

HPU next heads to Dixie State on Saturday for a 5 PM game.