HILO, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University women's basketball team unquestionably played their best first half of the season on Saturday.
However, basketball is played with two halves.
The Silverswords built a 14-point first half lead but were outscored by 26 in the second half to drop a disappointing 73-58 decision to the University of Hawai'i Hilo at the UH Hilo Gymnasium.
Jordyn Zader (Wukwonago, Wis./Pius XI) scored a career-high 20 points, hitting 13 free throws – fourth-most in program history – of 15 attempts.
Emma Morris (Tuscon, Ariz./Tanque Verde), who was held without a 3-pointer in Wednesday's loss at Hawai'i Pacific University, made three for 14 points.
Carsen Bridges (Groveland, Fla./Leesburg) added nine points while
Emily Laham (Potwin, Kan./Maize) chipped in with seven.
Michaella Dean (Irvine, Calif./Orange Lutheran) pulled down a nine rebounds and dished out five assists, both team highs.
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) added seven boards.
The Vulcans (3-5 Pacific West Conference) led paced by Mandi Kawaha who had 18.
UH Hilo led 8-7 late in the first quarter but Laham hit a layup that started a string of six straight points spanning quarters. Later Bridges' three-point play began a 15-4 run over the next four minutes to put the 'Swords up 28-14 with just under three minutes left in what proved to be their largest lead of the game.
Down by 11 at halftime, UH Hilo scored 16 of the first 19 points of the second half, taking a 38-36 lead on Makalya Tablit's shot from long range. Morris answered with a triple of her own to put Chaminade in front again at 39-38, and after Zader hit a free throw to knot the game at 40, Tablit again put the Vulcans ahead for good with a layup. UH Hilo outscored the 'Swords, 23-9, in the quarter to grab a 45-42 lead after 30 minutes.
But Hilo took control midway through the fourth quarter. After Laham went coast-to-coast on a driving layup with 5:24 left to make it a 56-52 deficit, the Vulcans went on an 11-3 run over the next four minutes, holding the 'Swords without a bucket. UH Hilo shot nearly 59 percent in the second half and outscored the Silverswords, 51-25, in the final 20 minutes.
Chaminade did manage to post its highest scoring game of the season and got to the foul line a season-best 23 times with 17 makes. They also made 17 field goals, also a season-high.
The 'Swords and Vulcans meet again on Sunday. Tipoff is at 12 p.m.
