by By Brent Curry, HPU Athletics
MANOA, HI (December 31, 2014) – The Hawai’i Pacific Women’s Basketball Team tested the University of Hawaii (7-5) in an exhibition matchup on New Year’s Eve, but fell 76-68.
Although it was an exhibition contest for the Sharks, the game counted for the Division I cross-town rival. HPU Head Coach Reid Takatsuka played the game to win and earned HPU some local respect in the process.
The first ten minutes of the game were very competitive with neither team able to take control; the biggest lead for either side was four points in the first quarter of the game.
With 8:57 left in the opening half, Breanna Mackenzie nailed a three-pointer to put HPU up 22-16. However, seconds later Jessi Reeves picked up her third foul; then about a minute later Morganne Comstock was also hit with her third (7:53).
Still, HPU added to its lead when Mackenzie scored in the paint to make it 27-18. The home team responded with a massive 12-0 run over the next three minutes. Further complicating matters, Veanne Navarro was assessed her third foul during the spurt (5:02).
The Sharks played the rest of the half even, despite the foul trouble, and headed to locker room down 38-35.
UH opened the second half hot with a 10-3 run to lead 48-38 with 16:39 left in the game. HPU answered with an 8-0 run of its own to trim the deficit down to 48-46, the onslaught included back-to-back three pointers from Navarro and Chenise Peone (Colville Tribes). Long distance shooting was key for the Sharks, connecting on nine in the game.
The ‘Bows again came up with a big 11-0 run to take control at 59-46. HPU had a counter punch and scored eight of the next nine points to draw to within six with 6:05 remaining. However, that was as close as HPU got.
Navarro led the team with 18 points; Mackenzie was close behind with 16. Peone (13) and Comstock (11) rounded out HPU’s double-figure scorers. Mackenzie and Comstock each added seven rebounds as Kylie Huerta passed out a game-high seven dimes.
HPU was even in the turnover ratio, had more assists, and was only -3 in the rebounding differential, but lost the foul battle 28-14. UH converted 22 for 34 (64.7%) on foul shots while HPU managed to make only 7 of 14 (50%). Navarro, Mackenzie, and Reeves all ended up fouling out of the game.
HPU returns to PacWest play on Friday when it travels to BYU-Hawaii to play at 5:30 pm.
