HONOLULU— Junior guard Courtney Middap hit a career-high five three-pointers as the University of Hawai'i rode a fourth-quarter surge to a 63-49 victory over Long Beach State on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
"It wasn't pretty, but sometimes that's what it takes," said head coach Laura Beeman. "They played us tough at their place, and we couldn't get things going. Tonight's game had some of those similarities, but we stepped up big in the fourth quarter. Everyone contributed down the stretch, making every possession count and hitting big shots."
 
UH held a seven-point early in the fourth frame at 42-35, but LBSU answered quickly bringing the game to a tie at 44-44 with 5:56 to play in regulation. Moments later Middap struck with a three-point basket from the right corner, and the 'Bows were off and running.
 
Over the final five-plus minutes of action, the Rainbow Wahine (11-13, 7-4) went on a 19-5 run to close out The Beach (7-17, 4-7). The 'Bows hit 7-of-8 free throws and followed the lead of junior guard Makenna Woodfolk as she notched eight points during the stretch.
 
Middap finished with a game-high 17 points collecting her second consecutive game of double-digit scoring. She shot 6-of-10 from the floor, and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, while adding three steals. Woodfolk added 12 points of her own and finished a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. As a team, UH shot 15-of-17 from the charity stripe.
 
Senior guard Leah Salanoa provided a steady hand with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. Salanoa stepped up in a time of need to handle the backup point guard duties with both Middap and senior guard Tia Kanoa flirting with foul trouble in the second half, committing just one turnover.
 
As a team,  UH struggled with the turnovers committing 20, but forced LBSU to commit 11 with eight steals. LBSU held an early advantage in the rebound battle at the half of 18-13, but the 'Bows crashed the boards in the third and fourth quarters to outrebound LBSU 30-27.
 
The win for the Bows puts them in a two-way tie for the No. 2 spot in the Big West Conference standings, while LBSU still sits at No. 6.
 
UH will wrap up their three-game home stretch on Thursday with UC Irvine visiting the island of the O'ahu, tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. HT. The 'Bows will be conducting their annual shoe drive and welcome all fans planning to attend to bring a pair of new or gently used shoes to donate.