by Box Score HONOLULU, HI (January 31, 2015) – The Hawai’i Pacific Women’s Basketball Team (17-3, 12-1) lost its first PacWest game of the year despite 17 points and a career-high 17 rebounds from Chenise Peone (Colville Tribes). Visiting Azusa Pacific (13-7, 9-4) escaped the Blaisdell Center with a 78-67 win on Saturday afternoon.
Despite not having their full complement of players, the Sharks looked good in the first half. HPU tied the game, and took the lead, on a pair of free throws from Veanne Navarro with 14:55 left in the first half. HPU did not trail again in the half; Breanna Mackenzie got to the basket to put HPU up 23-13 at the 9:50 mark. The advantage reached 11 points twice, including with 5:07 to go after a basket from Navarro. The Cougars rallied late in the period and trimmed the lead to five at the break.
HPU’s calling card in the opening 20 minutes was defense. APU shot just 11-30 (36.7%) from the floor and 0-3 from deep. Kelly Hardeman, arguably the PacWest’s best player, had just four points at the half.
Everything changed for the worse in the second half. APU’s shooting percentage jumped to 53.3% (16-30) and the three-pointers starting falling as well (6-10). Hardeman woke up and finished the game with 20 points. The Sharks, already shorthanded, had two players foul out in the second half which contributed to a sputtering offense that shot just 9-34 (26.5%).
APU seized the lead at 15:55 mark and did not give it back, leading by as many as 18 points late in the game.
Mackenzie scored 14 points as Navarro added 11; both shot 50% from the floor. Kerianne Noonan played well off the bench with nine points, two rebounds and two assists. Kylie Huerta had a team-high six assists to go with eight points.
The Sharks now play California Baptist on Monday at 4:30 pm at the Neal Blaisdell Center, winner holds first place in the PacWest.
