HONOLULU — Hawai'i Pacific University saw No. 11 California Baptist overcome an eight-point first quarter deficit with a powerful second quarter as the Lancers ended the Sharks six-game winning streak with an 81-71 PacWest Conference win Tuesday night at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
 
The Sharks (6-3, 3-1 PacWest) lost in regular season play for the first time since Nov. 19. The 11th ranked Lancers (14-2, 5-0) extended their winning streak to 11 straight.
 
"We let them explode on us in the second quarter and played from behind the rest of the game," said HPU head coach Reid Takatsuka. "We just couldn't keep everyone together on the same page at the same time. It's a tough loss."
 
HPU was paced by 15 points from junior guard Breanna Mackenzie from Melbourne, Australia/Box Hill. Sophomore forward Gabriella Fotu of Auckland, New Zealand/Rangitoto added 13 points with s rebounds and three blocked shots, while senior center Aminata Cole of Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond double-doubled with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Cal Baptist had five players score double figures led by Kamille Diaz with 17 points and Cassidy Mihalko with 16. Emma Meriggioli added 13 points, while Courtney Nelson chalked up 11 and Tori Mitchell collected a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
HPU was limited to 35 percent from the floor (26-of-75) and only 21 percent (5-of-24) from the 3-point arc. CBU connected on 40 percent from the floor (28-of-70), but just 28 percent (6-of-22) from long range. HPU was 14-of-19 from the foul line (74 percent), while CBU hit 91 percent (19-of-21). The teams each had 48 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
 
HPU had the upper hand to start the game. The Sharks got a layup from center Sarah Liva from Mililani, Hawai'i/Mililani to key a 13-4 run in the last four minutes of the first quarter to build an eight-point lead and take a 21-13 advantage.
 
But the Lancers answered with a 11-2 run to grab the lead in the first three minutes of the second period. HPU and CBU exchanged the lead until the Lancers fired off a 12-3 run to take a 39-31 lead at the half.
 
The Sharks roared back with a 7-0 run to start the third and get with a point at 39-38 on a Fotu layup, but CBU returned with a 13-4 run to end the quarter with a 52-42 lead.
 
The Lancers built a 16-point lead in the final frame before a late HPU surge narrowed the deficit to 10 at 81-71 for the final.
 
The Sharks don't have long to worry about the loss as they are back at it on Thursday evening when they host Azusa Pacific at the Blaisdell Center. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.