HONOLULU, Hawai'i. - On Tuesday evening the Hawai'i Pacific University women's basketball team faced off against the Warriors of Stanislaus State. The Sharks looked to give Head Coach Ray Alvarado his first career NCAA win after losing taking nationally-ranked MSU-Billings down to the wire.

In the first quarter, HPU would establish an early six point lead over their CCAA foe. Transfer Megan Jones would pick up dominate the paint picking up five points along with four rebounds to start the game.

The opening minutes of the second quarter proved to be a defensive stalemate between Stanislaus State and the Sharks as the Warriors were only able to muster one basket made as Jones picked up her third block of the first half. As the clock and the lead continued to dwindle the Sharks' offense came back to life as Erika Glenn along with Haley Masaki would hit big shots down the stretch and Kaylee Berry would hit a reverse layup to give HPU a double digit lead heading into halftime.

As the second half of action began Hawai'i Pacific would overwhelm the Warriors as six different Sharks would score including Glenn who continued her great start to the season with her second double digit scoring performance. The stout defense shown against Montana was on display again as Jones, Glenn, and Jordyn Jensen would all collect their eighth rebound midway into the third quarter.

With the game seemingly out of reach for the visiting Warriors, Joia Armstrong and her game-leading 21 points would bring Stanislaus State within reach of stealing a late win from HPU. However the Warriors were unable to find an answer to keep Kalina Obrey from the free-throw line. The junior went a perfect 12-12 from the charity stripe with the last two icing the game and giving the Sharks a 66-61 victory.

It was a great team victory for the Sharks as they look to keep the momentum going as they play in the Lynda Goodrich Classic over in Bellingham. Coach Alvarado's team continues to cause headaches for opposing coaching staffs as the Sharks have notched their third consecutive game with 20-plus free-throws made bringing their season total to 67 (3rd best in the Division II).

HPU will be back in action this Friday to take on Central Washington at Carver Gym in the 4:30 slot of the Lynda Goodrich Classic.

For the complete HPU women's basketball schedule CLICK HERE