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LONG BEACH, Calif. – The University of Hawaii women's basketball team pulled off a nail-biting 52-49 win over Long Beach State in the  quarterfinals of the 2014 Big West Tournament Wednesday night at The Walter Pyramid. Ashleigh Karaitiana scored 18 points and the Rainbow Wahine hit four clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The third-seeded Rainbow Wahine (17-12) advance  to the tournament semifinals where they will meet No. 2 Cal Poly Friday afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m. PT/11:30 a.m. HT at the Honda Center. With the win, UH snapped a five-game conference tournament losing streak dating back to 2009. Meanwhile, it will be the team's first semifinal appearance since the 2003 WAC Tournament.

Karaitiana—the Big West Sixth Player of the Year—buried four-of-five from three-point range, including a huge trey with 2:22 left that gave UH a 48-47 lead. LBSU (17-15) re-took the lead on a pair of Raven Benton free throws on the next possession. But Shawna Lei Kuehu answered for UH with a pair of free throws to five UH a 49-48 lead with 1:41 left.  

After each team failed to score on consecutive possessions, LBSU retained the ball with 27.9 seconds left and a chance to take the lead. But the UH defense stayed strong as the 49ers turned the ball and were forced to foul. Morgan Mason then calmly netted two free throws with 6.9 seconds to give UH a three-point cushion. LBSU had one final chance to extend the game but missed a three-pointer.

The top defense in the Big West came through when it counted. LBSU shot an opponent season-low 28.3 percent from the floor, including just 4-of-24 from three-point land. Meanwhile, the 49 points allowed was the second lowest for UH this year.

The first half was a tight one with neither team gaining separation. The 'Bows however took over during the final stretch.  UH trailed 20-18, but held the Beach scoreless for the final 5:36 while scoring nine straight points to take a 27-20 lead into the locker room.

Sydney Haydel nailed a three-pointer less than four minutes into the half to give UH its biggest lead, 30-21. But it was UH's only field goal in its first 11 attempts of the second half. The Beach took full advantage and a 13-0 run put LBSU back up, 33-30, with 13:15 left. From there it was all-out battle as the team traded the lead eight times in the second half.

UH played without leading scorer and rebounder Kamiliah Jackson for the seventh straight game.