Honolulu, HI – The Hawai'i Pacific University women's basketball team fended off a late surge from Concordia University Irvine (CUI) to claim a 62-60 victory at the Shark Tank. Lupe Vazquez was unstoppable, tallying 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including three three-pointers, to propel the Sharks to a 7-3 record (3-1 PacWest). CUI, despite a strong fourth quarter, fell to 1-12 (0-6 PacWest).

The game was a battle from start to finish, with both teams tied at 17 after the first quarter. The Sharks gained momentum in the second quarter with a 20-point outburst, giving them a 37-24 lead at halftime. CUI mounted an impressive 25-point rally in the final period, but the Sharks' resilience and defensive stops secured the win.

HPU will next face Azusa Pacific at 4:30 PM on January 9 in a pivotal PacWest matchup.

Key Performances

• Lupe Vazquez: Led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and grabbing 4 rebounds.
• Allison Ross: Added 9 points and 8 rebounds, playing key minutes down the stretch.
• Megan Jones: Contributed 8 points and dominated the boards with 9 rebounds.
• Haley Masaki: Stepped up with 9 points, 4 assists, and strong defensive play.
• Morgan Hawkins: Chipped in 7 points, including a clutch three-pointer to keep the Sharks in front.

Game Highlights

• First-Half Control: The Sharks shot 45% from the floor in the second quarter, building a 13-point halftime lead.
• Defensive Composure: HPU forced 12 turnovers and kept CUI scoreless from beyond the arc in the first half.
• Paint Dominance: The Sharks outscored CUI 38-32 in points in the paint, capitalizing on their inside presence.
• Bench Boost: HPU's bench provided 25 points, showcasing the team's depth.

The Sharks will look to build on this win and continue their push in the PacWest standings as they return to action at home on January 9.

#GoSharks