Honolulu, HI (February 9, 2013)- Skye Savini scored 25 points and pulled down eight rebounds, but a sluggish first half cost the Hawai'i Pacific (13-5, 9-3) women's basketball team as they lost 87-80 to visiting Point Loma Nazarene University (10-10, 6-6).

Early on the Sea Warriors had a difficult time solving the PLNU defense.  Halfway through the first half the Sea Warriors would find themselves behind by double-digits. Alli Gentry would come off the bench for HPU to hit a deep three-pointer to cut the lead to nine with 3:28 to play in the opening half. The Sea Lions would bank in a three-pointer as the time expired in the half, leaving HPU with a 14 point deficit at the break.

The Sea Warrior shooters had a difficult time finding their range in the half only hitting 33.3% (13-39) of their shots from the floor. Gentry's three-ball would be the only one for HPU in the first half as it shot 14.3% on 1-7 shooting.

In the second half, the HPU shooters would come alive. Ladrido would score 17 of her 21 points in the second session while Savini was able to add 13 after the break.  The Sea Warriors would get within five points with 4:02 to play after a Ieva Nagy three-pointer made the score 71-66. PLNU would answer with a three-pointer of its own in transition just six seconds later and the deficit was back to eight.

Down by 10 points with a minute remaining HPU would hit three consecutive three-pointers, but the Sea Lions would convert nine of 10 free-throws down the stretch to steal the victory on the road.

The Sea Warrior shooters caught fire in the second half hitting 50% (18-36) of their shots from the field including 56.3% (9-16) from behind the arc. HPU clamped down defensively as well, only allowing the Sea Lions to hit 39.3% (11-28) of their shots from the field. PLNU would maintain its advantage thanks in large part to its effective free-throw shooting as it hit 18 of its 22 chances from the line in the second half.

Hawai'i Pacific returns to action on Monday against California Baptist, whom the Sea Warriors are now tied with in the PacWest standings. The game will be held at the Neal Blaisdell Center and tips off at 7:00 PM.

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