SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.— The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team battled and used a second-half surge to pick up its third win in a row with a 50-47 victory over Cal Poly Saturday afternoon at the Mott Athletic Center.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (4-7, 2-0) have started conference action with back-to-back wins, a first since the 2002-2003 season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, and it's the first time in the Big West since the 1995-1996 season. The Mustangs  (3-7, 0-2) have dropped back-to-back conference games and have lost seven of their last eight against UH, including three in a row.
 
The 'Bows experienced a forgettable first half as they shot 17% from the floor and 8% from three-point range for a combined 14 points in the first 20 minutes and a mere five points in the second quarter. Both point totals stand as season lows. On the flip side, Cal Poly took advantage of the poor start for a 23-14 lead at the halfway point, hitting five three-pointers in the first two frames.
 
UH woke up in the second half, scoring 19 points in the third quarter, narrowing the margin to a 36-33 deficit heading into the final frame. Graduate center Kallin Spiller led the charge to take the lead in the fourth quarter with nine points, while UH leaned on the same method as Thursday night's win over UC Davis with free throws. The 'Bows went 9-of-14 from the charity strip down the stretch as they attacked the basket, drawing 25 fouls throughout the game while only committing nine.
 
Trailing 44-43 with 3:45 on the clock, UH went 4-of-6 from the line and picked up a crucial basket by Spiller to close out the game and hold off the Mustangs.
 
Spiller led all scorers with 18 points, hitting a career-high three from beyond the arc while pulling down five rebounds. Sophomore guard Olivia Davies contributed with nine points off the bench, including a 7-of-9 mark from the free throw line.
 
UH returns to the islands for its first two conference home games on Thursday and Saturday by welcoming in UC San Diego and Cal State Fullerton.