HONOLULU — Hawai'i Pacific University fell for the first time since opening weekend, but it didn't count on their record as University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine beat the Sharks 88-54.
 
The game counted for the Division I Rainbow Wahine and upped their record to 3-6 overall. The Sharks remain at 4-2 with the exhibition loss.
 
The Sharks shot just 24 percent from the floor for the game, while UH connected on 46 percent from the floor.
 
"We had a tough time today getting anything to fall," said HPU women's head coach Reid Takatsuka. "But the Rainbow Wahine came to play and give them credit. They forced us into shots we didn't really want to take."
 
The Sharks were by senior guard VeAnne Navarro of Modesto, Calif./Modesto Christian, who came off the bench with 12 points. Junior guard Breanna Mackenzie, from Melbourne, Australia/Box Hill, added points for HPU. Senior center Aminata Cole of Anchorage, Alaska, led the sharks with six rebounds.
 
Hawai'i had five players in double figures led by Leah Salanoa who scored 19 points off the bench. Sarah Toeaina added 15.
 
The Sharks and Rainbow Wahine were nearly even in the first quarter as HPU got an early lead but trailed 14-13 at the quarter.
 
The second quarter was a disaster for HPU. The Sharks did not make a field goal in 12 attempts during the quarter as UH went outscored HPU 27-10 for a 41-23 lead at the intermission. It was the turning point of the contest.
 
"We just didn't play very well in the second," said Takatsuka. "Really a combination of us not playing well and UH playing very well."
 
The Sharks battled back in the third, outscoring the Rainbow Wahine 15-14, but they couldn't carry any momentum through the fourth quarter.
 
For HPU, the contest shook off some rust as they were off last week for fall final examinations.
 
The Sharks are back in action on Thursday as they host Dominican in PacWest Conference action. Tipoff at Moanalua High School Gym is 4:30 p.m.