HONOLULU — Hawai'i Pacific rallied from a nine-point third-quarter deficit and twice tied the game in the fourth, but the Sharks couldn't complete the comeback in a 56–53 loss to Colorado School of Mines on Saturday morning at the Shark Tank.

After scoring just six points in the second quarter and trailing 26–22 at halftime, HPU (3–6) rallied with three minutes left in the third with a 9–0 run. Keyed by defensive pressure and transition baskets from Kyra Tanabe and Jalen Samuel, the Sharks tied the score at 36–36 with 2:00 remaining in the third. A KalysaMarie Ng layup moments later gave HPU a 38–36 edge—its first lead of the day.

Tanabe paced the Sharks with 20 points, going 9 for 9 from the free-throw line and adding two steals. Samuel scored 12 points off the bench and hit two key second-half threes, while Mya Hatchett provided seven points and a team-high nine rebounds.

HPU's bench outscored Mines' reserves 20–19 and sparked multiple scoring bursts. The Sharks also pushed tempo, holding a 12–6 fast-break advantage and matching Mines 11–11 in second-chance scoring.

The game remained tight throughout the fourth quarter, with HPU tying it at 41–41 following Tanabe's technical free throws at 8:23 remaining. Mines answered with timely offensive boards and clutch free throws down the stretch.

Tanabe earned Hoops in Hawaii Classic Women's DII All-Tournament Team Honors for her efforts across the last two days.

HPU now enters the life in the balance break and will return in the new year on the road at Fresno Pacific on January 3rd in the first game of a four-game PacWest road trip.