Box Score Honolulu, HI (January 3, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific women's basketball team had a chance to send the game to overtime, but the shot rimmed out leaving HPU with a 53-50 loss at the hands of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Mana Hopkins continued her strong play with 19 points and eight rebounds.

HPU came out of the gate slow; Hilo led 11-3 less than four minutes into the game. UHH kept up the intensity and took at 12 point lead at the 7:04 mark of the first half. HPU then went on a 13-2 run, highlighted by a three-pointer by Paris Gravely. HPU eventually tied the game before the Vulcans escaped to the locker room with a two point halftime lead. The second half was much closer with no team leading by more than five.

Gravely scored 11 points, and added five rebounds, she hit three deep balls.

HPU shot 11-25 (44%) in the second half while UHH shot 9-26 (35%) over the same time period, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback.  HPU lost the rebounding battle 40-33 and the turnover war 20-19.

Kirsten Shimizu led the Vulcans with 24 points on 10-15 shooting. UH-Hilo is now 5-5 overall, but is 2-0 in conference.

HPU is now 7-5 and 1-1 in PacWest play.

The Sea Warriors next travel cross-town to play Chaminade on Thursday at 5:30 PM.