Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Austin McKeon)

San Francisco, CA – After a getting out to an early lead, University of Hawaii-Hilo women's basketball used two strong halves to take a 75-53 victory from Academy of Art University Thursday night at Kezar Pavilion. Senior guard Devin London finished with a team-high 15 points while junior guard Jordan Rogers added 10 points.

The Vulcans began the game on a 7-0 run, but that margin was soon washed away with free throws by sophomore forward Alisa Griggs and five straight points from junior guard Nicol Biesek. UHH pushed a 21-12 advantage, but Rogers was quick to cut into that lead as she scored five points during a 25-second span which followed.

Though the game was close once again, Hawaii-Hilo continued to feed their post presence Hillary Hurley inside and she was able to consistently convert from the foul line. The Vulcan lead would grow back to nine, but then it was the ART U bench who struck. A layup by freshman center Alexandria Coleman and a triple from freshman guard Vianai Austin provided a quick burst which brought it back to a four-point game. At the half, it ended up being an eight-point advantage for UHH in the form of a 33-25 score.

In the second period, ART U cut the lead down to seven points on multiple occasions, but UHH seemed to have an answer each time. London went to work early in the period half and was able to put in two layups before six minutes had passed.

The Knights had a mini 6-1 run midway through the period highlighted by baskets from senior guard Lorraine Etchell, Rogers, and Biesek, but the Vulcans refused to let their opponent come any closer as Hawaii-Hilo's Natalie Mata hit a jumper and Hurley added a layup. After capitalizing on Urban Knight fouls, the visitors pushed the lead back into double digits and there it would remain until the 75-53 end result.

London posted 15 points and six rebounds on the night and Rogers came through with 10 points and six rebounds as well. Biesek chipped in nine points and Griggs contributed eight points. For an ART U team that falls to 15-9 overall and 11-5 in conference, junior forward Ariel Dale wound up with a team-high eight rebounds.

"Physically playing with a small roster has taken a toll on this team," head coach LaNay Larson said. "We are just going to have to dig deep for these last two games and play with a lot of pride. I think the way we finish out the year will say a lot about the character of this team. I told them they have worked too hard and accomplished too much not to finish on a good note."

Led by Hurley's 22 points (6-of-8 from the foul line) and 12 rebounds, the Vulcans ended up making 27 free throws in the contest. Kirsten Shimizu added 15 points and three 3-pointers. Hawaii-Hilo moves up to 12-11 overall and 9-6 in PacWest play with the win.

One more game comes for ART U on this week's homestand and it pits the Urban Knights against No. 17 Grand Canyon for the second time in two weeks. Tipoff is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 23 at 12:00 PM inside Kezar Pavilion.

"I think they will come out and play hard and give it all they have," Coach Larson said. "There are certain things you can control in a game; we need to play good defense, rebound well, and take good shots. We want to finish strong for the seniors and set the tone for the team coming back next year."

If you are headed to the game this weekend or next Saturday for Homecoming, be sure to sign up for the FAN BUS at the following link: http://bit.ly/eC8mrO - Go to Basketball and click through to the game you are attending.