Rained Out
HONOLULU, Hawaii --- Looking to make a move in the PacWest standings, California Baptist University had to face the team in front of them to conclude a four-game road stretch and came up short Monday night. Hawaii Pacific held on to a 80-75 win to remain in third place, keeping the Lancers behind in fourth.
CBU drops to 10-10 overall and 8-6 in conference action, while the Sea Warriors improve to 13-6 on the season, 9-5 in the PacWest.
Three Lancers finished the night with points in double figures, led by Erin Asher and Cassidy Mihalko with 18 a piece. Asher went 6-for-12 from the field and Mihalko mirrored with a 5-for-10 performance.
HPU grabbed an early lead, but the Lancers were never further than a possession behind to stay within the contest. Down 9-6, CBU put together a 5-0 run, capped by a jumper from Jasmine Sauser to jump in front 11-9.
The Sea Warriors kept it close, however, and managed to score eight consecutive points to take a 22-19 lead with just under nine minutes before halftime. After head coach Jarrod Olson regrouped his team, Diaz ended the scoring rampage with a shot from the perimeter to even the score at 22.
CBU stayed in front, but couldn't register a significant lead until the last run of the half. With two minutes remaining, the Lancers went on an eight-point run of their own to hold a 42-36 upper hand at the break.
Despite momentum going in favor of the visitors, HPU came out looking to make a shift. The Sea Warriors battled back to take over the lead at 47-46, but the Lancers weren't about to let the game get out of hand.
Tied 56-56, Mihalko grabbed her own rebound and found Megan Brown under the basket for two points. The Sea Warriors kept making it tough for CBU to break away, keeping the score within close range before grabbing a 72-65 advantage heading down the stretch.
Asher responded with a layup to end the Sea Warriors' run and Mihalko finished both her chances at the charity stripe to put the Lancers within three at 72-69.
Down by five, CBU turned on the full-court press and forced a crucial turnover to go back on offense. Asher banked a shot off the backboard and drew the foul for an and-one play, putting the Lancers behind by just two at 75-73.
Time ran out, however, as HPU walked away with the 80-75 victory.
After four games on the road, the Lancers finally return back home to Van Dyne Gym to host rival Azusa Pacific on Saturday. CBU will look to avenge an earlier loss to the Cougars, tipping off at 5 p.m.
