by Box Score HONOLULU, HI (March 7, 2015) – The Hawai’i Pacific Women’s Basketball Team (25-4) is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history after beating California Baptist (25-6) 74-73 in the PacWest Tournament Final.
The first half opened like any heavyweight title fight would, each team felt the other out with neither side able to grab more than a five point advantage in the first 10 minutes.
The game was tied at 16 with 12:20 to play in the opening half before HPU went on a 10-2 run to lead 26-18 with 7:42 remaining. However, the end of the half belonged to the Lancers, including the final five points. For the second day in a row, HPU trailed at the break, this time 36-33.
The second half was even closer than the first, HPU led by one eight minutes into the half before Veanne Navarro took over. In less than two minutes, Navarro scored eight points and after a Morganne Comstock basket HPU led 65-57 with 9:26 to play in the half.
The lead remained at six after Kylie Huerta hit a pair of free throws with 3:11 left to go. CBU wasn’t done yet and scored the next five points to make it 72-71 with 41 seconds left. HPU took time off the clock on the next possession but couldn’t convert the shot, but Jessi Reeves grabbed the offensive rebound, maybe saving the season.
After a timeout, Chenise Peone (Colville Tribes) was fouled and calmly knocked down two free throws. HPU led 74-71 with ten seconds left but CBU had the ball. With four seconds to go Comstock blocked a three-point attempt which then forced a desperation heave that wasn’t close. The Lancers picked up the loose ball and laid it in at the buzzer but it was not enough.
Huerta was again historic, she set the single-game record for most three-pointers made in a game with six. She also is the first HPU player to be named PacWest Conference Tournament MVP. She scored a game-high 24 points and added four rebounds and assists.
Navarro also made the All-PacWest Tournament Team with two strong games, including 15 points and four dimes today.
Comstock did a little bit of everything with 12 points, six rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks. Reeves and Peone tied with a team-high nine rebounds.
HPU gets the PacWest automatic qualifier to the NCAA West Regional and awaits the draw tomorrow. The tournament starts on Thursday, likely at Alaska-Anchorage.
