by LAIE, Hawai — Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo led the BYU-Hawaii women’s basketball to an 88-70 victory over Fresno Pacificon Tuesday in the Cannon Activities Center.
Tatupu-Leopoldo led the Seasiders with 20 points, five assists, and two rebounds. Celeste Claw (Navajo) followed with a 16 points and seven assists. Marquessa Gilson caught fire late and finished with 13 points. Whitney Fieldsted completed her third consecutive double-double, her fifth of the season, with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Seasiders (5-5, 2-2 PacWest) shot 53.6 percent from the field, while holding Fresno Pacific to a 47.2 percent shooting. BYU-Hawaii dominated as a team with a total of 48 rebounds and 30 assists against the Sunbirds (2-8, 2-3 PacWest).
Five minutes into the first half, the Seasiders had built a four-point lead at 9-5. BYU-Hawaii stayed ahead with a jump shot and two free throws by Devyn Kauhi, but a 3-pointer by Fresno Pacific ended a 5-2 run that tied the game at 13-13.
The Sunbirds took the lead from the the Seasiders on a jump shot made by Jasmine Shedrick and the teams continued to trade baskets over the next three minutes.
Seasiders took control of the game on a 7-1 run that led by four points from Fieldsted. The Sunbirds attempt to catch up was halted by Claw’s layup to keep the Seasiders ahead 29-25 with 3:57 remaining in the first half.
The Seasiders ended the half on a 16-3 run led by five points from Tatupu-Leopoldo and four from Mata Tonga. They entered the break with a 16-point lead at 45-29.
A jump shot made by Fieldsted ended a 5-0 run to begin the second half with the Seasiders leading 50- 29.
Gilson caught fire with six minutes remaining scoring the next 11 points for the Seasiders to put them on top 81-59 at the final media timeout and BYU-Hawaii never looked back on their way to victory.
The Seasiders will return to action against their rivals, Dixie State on Thursday at 5 p.m. HST in the Cannon Activities Center. Live stats and video streaming will be available.
