HONOLULU – Two exceptional performances by the Chaminade University women's basketball team's top two scorers was not enough on Saturday.
The Silveswords got a combined 44 points from
Hunter Liftee (Kamuela, Hawai'i/Central Methodist Univ./Honoka'a HS) and
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) but Holy Names had seven players with seven or more points in their 74-66 win at McCabe Gymnasium.
Liftee came off the bench for 23 points – two shy of her career-high – while Castro had another solid all-around effort with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals for the 'Swords who fell to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Pacific West Conference.
Onajalise Carley-Hilliard had 14 points for the Hawks who picked up their first win of the season (1-9, 1-4 PacWest). Jaliah Williams had 10 points and 13 boards. Taylor Krouse added 13 points while three others pitched in between 7 to 8 points.
Cheyenne Ardona (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) had her best game of the season with the freshman forward adding eight points for the 'Swords. Another freshman,
Ellyonna Bankofier (Happy Valley, Ore./Clackamas), matched her season-high with seven points while yet another CUH rookie,
Grace Underhill (River Forest, Ill./Oak Park-River Forest), pulled down a season-best seven rebounds.
After an evenly-played first quarter, the Hawks held the 'Swords to two free throws and no field goals in the final six minutes of the second to take a 36-28 lead at halftime.
Holy Names' lead swelled to as many as 13 early in the fourth quarter but the 'Swords methodically chipped away at the deficit. Liftee had seven points during an 11-2 run capped by Castro's bucket which brought the 'Swords to within 65-61 with 2:24 left. However, a three-point play by Kailua native Victoria Kintz followed by Krouse's basket on HNU's next possession with 1:32 left helped secure the Hawks' first win of the season.
Chaminade made 26 of 74 shots for 35.1 percent while Holy Names was 31 of 68. HNU out-boarded the 'Swords, 45-41, and had 20 assists to Chaminade's 11.
The Silverswords will jump out of conference for the final time this season when they face Saint Martin's (3-6) of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in the Malika Sports O'ahu Christmas Classic on Sunday at McCabe Gym. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
