by By Brent Curry, HPU Athletics
Box Score HONOLULU, HI (March 6, 2015) – The Hawai’i Pacific Women’s Basketball Team (24-4) kicked the offense into gear in the second half to beat Azusa Pacific (19-10) 72-60 in the Pacific West Conference Tournament Semifinal.
HPU looked as if it was going to build a big first half lead, just like the last time the teams met. HPU went up 18-8 six and a half minutes in on an and-one play from the PacWest Player of the Year, Morganne Comstock. The lead was eight (28-20) by the 8:09 mark when Kylie Huerta got to the basket. The Cougars owned the rest of the half however and wrestled the lead away from HPU by the break (36-35).
APU opened the second half on a 9-2 run to take a 45-37 lead with 14:03 to play. HPU responded with a 12-3 run to take the lead, the spurt was capped by a NBA distance three-pointer by Huerta which changed the momentum of the game.
The Cougars briefly regained the lead on the next possession, but another Huerta long ball gave HPU the lead for good with 8:07 to play. The Shark lead reached double-digits again (64-54) with 2:56 left, ending any chance of an upset.
Huerta was sensational with game-highs in points (20) and assists (7) to go with seven rebounds and five three-pointers made. Veanne Navarro scored 16 points including going 8-8 from the foul line, all in the last three minutes. Chenise Peone (Colville Tribes) registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Comstock posted game-highs in rebounds (11) and blocks (4) in addition to her 11 points.
HPU will play for the PacWest Championship and an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament on Saturday against California Baptist at 2:00 pm PST.
