HONOLULU – A cold-shooting second half proved too much to overcome for the Chaminade University women's basketball team against their intercity rivals.
The Silverswords were outscored 37-15 while shooting just 22.7 percent (5-for-22) in the final 20 minutes as they suffered yet another loss to Hawai'i Pacific University, this time a 71-44 decision in a Tuesday morning matinee at McCabe Gymnasium.
Hunter Liftee (Kamuela, Hawai'i/Central Methodist Univ./Honoka'a HS) came off the bench to lead the 'Swords with 14 points while pulling down six rebounds.
Diamond Carter (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Olympic College/Kapolei HS) added 12 while
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) had 10 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and a block.
Just three other 'Swords got into the scoring ledger with
Jordyn Zader's (Mukwonago, Wis./Pius XI) four points which all came from the free throw line, two each from
Grace Underhill (River Forest, Ill./Oak Park-River Forest) and
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer), the latter getting her first career start.
Chaminade fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the Pacific West Conference, losing to HPU for the 27th consecutive meeting. Their last win over the Sharks was in February 2007.
Starr Rivera led the Sharks (4-4, 3-0 PacWest) with 15 points.
The 'Swords led for much of the first quarter, their last lead coming after Liftee's short jumper put them up 17-16 with 1:18 left before HPU scored the quarter's final four points.
Chaminade managed to keep the margin close in the second, holding the Sharks to just 5-of-17 field goal shooting (29.4 percent) in the period to trial 34-29 at halftime.
However the 'Swords emerged from break ice-cold with HPU opening the second half on a 12-3 run. Liftee accounted for eight of the team's nine third-quarter points with the Sharks holding a 50-38 lead heading into the final quarter.
HPU slammed the door shut by outscoring Chaminade 21-6 in the fourth quarter. The 'Swords were held without a point in the game's final seven minutes. Castro's bucket with 7:53 left was their final field goal.
Chaminade was held to a season-low 30.0 percent shooting and were out-rebounded 41-35. They also committed 19 turnovers which HPU turned into 23 points.
The Silverswords will face Holy Names on Saturday at McCabe Gym. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
