Honolulu, HI – The Hawai'i Pacific University women's basketball team battled through two challenging PacWest matchups this week, falling to Azusa Pacific 66-63 in a nail-biter before succumbing to Point Loma 69-49 at the Shark Tank. The results bring the Sharks to a 7-5 overall record and 3-3 in PacWest play as they look to regroup and continue their season.

Game 1: Sharks Fall Short Against Azusa Pacific

In a tightly contested battle, the Sharks fought valiantly but fell just short to Azusa Pacific, 66-63. Despite a strong offensive effort and resilience throughout the game, HPU couldn't overcome the Cougars' clutch play in the final minutes.

Key Performances:

• Ella Berge: Led the Sharks with 13 points, shooting 50% from the field and adding five rebounds.
• Alana Roberts: Dominated the boards with nine rebounds while contributing 11 points on efficient shooting.
• Leslie Mojica: Provided a spark off the bench with seven points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
• Lupe Vazquez: Knocked down a three-pointer and grabbed six rebounds.

Game Highlights:

• The Sharks out-rebounded Azusa Pacific 45-42, including 16 second-chance points.
• HPU's bench outscored APU's 37-6, showcasing the team's depth.
• The game featured 10 lead changes and seven ties, underscoring the intensity of the matchup.

Game 2: Sharks Struggle Against Point Loma

The Sharks faced a tough defensive challenge against the conference-leading Point Loma Sea Lions, who limited HPU to 30.9% shooting from the field. Despite the effort, the Sharks couldn't keep pace with Point Loma's sharp offense and fell 69-49.

Key Performances:

• Allison Ross: Scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers, while dishing out four assists.
• Megan Jones: Tallied eight points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
• Haley Masaki: Added eight points and showcased her accuracy at the line, going 4-for-5 on free throws.
• Lupe Vazquez: Continued her consistent play with six points and one rebound in 12 minutes.

Game Highlights:

• HPU started strong, shooting 46.1% in the first quarter but struggled in the second, managing just 21.4%.
• The Sharks' defense forced Point Loma into 18 turnovers but couldn't capitalize offensively, scoring only five points off turnovers.
• Despite the loss, HPU demonstrated moments of solid team play, including 11 assists.

The Sharks leave for California today as they look to bounce back, HPU will rely on their depth and resilience to keep pace in the conference standings.

#GoSharks