BAKERSFIELD, Calif.— For the fourth consecutive week, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team split its two games against a conference opponent, picking up a win on the road at CSU Bakersfield Saturday 51-47 at the Icardo Center.
 
Over five consecutive weeks of Big West action, the Rainbow Wahine (6-4, 8-11) have won the second game against a conference foe but, on the other end, have lost four games to open a week at home or on the road. The Roadrunners (6-15, 2-8) have dropped four straight to UH and three consecutive games overall.
 
CSUB jumped to an early advantage at 16-3, putting together a 13-0 run in the opening stretch of the first quarter. UH slowly chipped away at the lead, leaning on the production of sophomore forward Meilani McBee as she dropped 11 of her 13 points in the first half. The 'Bows pulled within six at 32-26 before the end of the half.
 
UH rode a 18-7 scoring run from the third quarter to the fourth to take their second lead and built it up to a six-points early in the final frame. The Roadrunners pulled with one at 48-47 in the final seconds, but freshman center Imani Perez came up clutch with two free throws to make the lead a two-possession game with 11 seconds to go and close it out.
 
Sophomore guard Lily Wahinekapu notched her third straight game of double-digit scoring, finishing with a team-high 14 points while dishing out three assists and swiping four steals. As a team, the 'Bows controlled the free throw line shooting 17-of-23, compared to the Roadrunners, going 3-for-12. Perez helped UH solidify the rebounding battle as she pulled down a career-high 10 boards, leading to a 32-30 advantage.
 
The 'Bows return to the island of O'ahu as they host UC Davis and Cal Poly beginning on a Thursday. UH previously beat the Aggies and Mustangs on the road to start the conference schedule in late December.