Box Score HONOLULU, HI (January 5, 2015) – Kylie Huerta posted career-highs in points (27) and rebounds (nine) while tying the program record for most three-pointers made (six). All that production helped the Hawai'i Pacific Women's Basketball Team (11-2, 6-0) to an 85-62 win over Point Loma (4-8, 2-3) on Monday evening at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
The early stages of the game saw a competitive battle, the teams were deadlocked at 10 at the 16 minute mark. Then the Sharks found their stride, a 15-2 run over the next five and a half minutes put HPU in control and ended any thoughts of an upset. A three-pointer from Chenise Peone with five minutes to play in the opening half put HPU on top 40-20. The Sea Lions clawed back and trailed by 14 at the break.
Loma worked the deficit down to 10 with 14:15 to play, but the Sharks responded with 9-1 run to regain full control at 59-41. From that point, HPU's advantage was never less than 16. The lead reached 29 points with 2:06 left on a lay in by Taylor Blake.
Despite the blowout win, HPU didn't shoot the ball particularly well. HPU shot 41.3% (31-75) from the floor and 34.5% (10-29) from deep. However, HPU won the rebounding battle 51-38 and had two less turnovers. The defense also clamped down and allowed only 20-61 shooting (32.8%) and 2-12 (16.7%) from three-point land.
Morganne Comstock posted her ninth double-double of the season and fifth in as many games with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. The senior post player also ruled the paint defensively with five blocked shots. Current PacWest Freshman of the Week, Breanna Mackenzie, continued her strong season with 14 points. Peone also tallied 14 points to go with eight rebounds.
Huerta, who also had a game-high four assists, had the ball in the final seconds and could have fired another three-pointer to try to break the record but her sportsmanship prevailed and she dribbled out the clock.
The Sharks, now in sole possession of first place in the PacWest, continue their busy week on Thursday when Notre Dame de Namur comes to visit the Blaisdell Center at 4:30 p.m.
