HONOLULU – No. 25 Hawai'i Pacific University got into second half foul trouble that allowed Division I neighbor University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine to pull away for an 86-76 exhibition victory on Wednesday night at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
The Sharks held a 44-38 halftime lead after leading the Rainbow Wahine by as many as eight points in the first 20 minutes. But HPU was whistled for too many fouls early and the foul trouble continued into the second half where UH used its size to dominate the Sharks.
 
HPU was paced by newcomer Tavia Rowell, a junior from Langley, British Columbia Canada/Walnut Grove via Division I Grand Canyon, with 29 points. She hit 6-of-10 from the 3-point arc in leading HPU. Dominican graduate transfer Julia Razo of Woodland, Calif./St. Francis chalked up 15 points. Senior All-American Amy Baum of Melbourne, Australia/Rowville Secondary was held to just nine points, but led the Sharks with seven rebounds and eight assists. Junior Avery Cargill of Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman also added nine points.
 
The Rainbow Wahine was led by Amy Atwell with 23 points, while Daejah Phillips double-doubled with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Nae Nae Calhoun posted 11 points with three assists.
 
The Sharks shot 39 percent from the floor, hitting 24-of-61, that included 14-of-32 from the 3-point arc (44 percent). HPU made 14-of-19 of its free throws (74 percent). UH hit 45 percent from the floor (25-of-51), but only 3-of-16 (19 percent) from the 3-line. Thanks to HPU's foul trouble, the Wahine made 37-of-44 free throw attempts (84 percent). The taller Wahine dominated the boards 43-27, but turned the ball over 12 times to HPU's 11.
 
The Sharks and Wahine swapped the lead 13 times with nine ties in the contest.
 
After trailing by 10 points in the first quarter, the Sharks rallied in the second quarter to double UH 28-14 and take the 44-38 lead into halftime.
 
However UH came back after the break with an 11-4 run to take a lead, and the teams swapped the lead through the third until a 4-0 run to take a 64-60 lead at the period break.
 
That 4-0 run became a 15-5 run in the fourth and the Sharks never led again.
 
HPU will officially open the season next Friday, Nov. 12, when the Sharks take on Western Oregon in the Saint Martin's Invitational in Lacey, Wash. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. HST (3 p.m. PST).