HONOLULU— The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team kick-started its 2021-2022 campaign with a 86-76 exhibition victory over Hawai'i Pacific University Wednesday night inside SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Freshman forward Daejah Phillips notched a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while senior forward Amy Atwell collected a team-high 23 points.
 
The Rainbow Wahine bounced back against their in-town opponent, improving to 11-1 all-time after having a 10-game win streak against HPU snapped a year ago. The Sharks suffered only their third loss since the 2019-2020 season, going 42-2 over the stretch.
 
Following a productive first quarter where UH led 24-16, after hitting 15-of-16 from the charity stripe, HPU answered in the second quarter. The Sharks shot 56% from the floor and 5-of-7 from three for 71%, outscoring UH 28-14 for a 44-38 lead at the break.
 
The second half swung back in favor of, UH, but the vision of freshman point guard Kelsi Imai put the 'Bows in prime position. With the score at a two-point advantage for UH, Imai snatched a rebound with six seconds on the clock, sped through defenders, and sent a laser of a pass to the right block finding freshman forward Jacque David for an open layup, sending UH into the fourth quarter up 64-60.
 
The 'Bows outscored HPU 22-16 in the final frame, building their lead to double-digits on two occasions for the eventual final.
 
A season ago, HPU hit 15 three-pointers to down the 'Bows; while they hit 14 this time around, they shot 44% on the night, but it was the rebounding, points in the paint, and free throws that made the difference.
 
UH out rebound HPU 43-27, scoring 40 points in the paint compared to 18, and hit 37-44 from the free-throw line. Phillips led the team by going 11-13 from the line.
 
On top of the performances by Atwell and Phillips, sophomore point guard Nae Nae Calhoun who missed all of last season due to injury finished with 11 points and three assists in her return.
 
UH will officially begin the regular season next week on Tuesday with a visit to California stopping at San Diego, followed by head coach Laura Beeman's old stomping grounds of USC on Thursday.