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Lily Wahinekapu dribble
48
Winner Long Beach St. LBSU 19-7,14-2 Big West
47
Hawaii Hawaii 11-13,9-6 Big West
Winner
Long Beach St. LBSU
19-7,14-2 Big West
48
Final
47
Hawaii Hawaii
11-13,9-6 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Long Beach St. LBSU 9 17 11 11 48
Hawaii Hawaii 9 12 19 7 47

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker To Long Beach State

HONOLULU– The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team had Big West leader Long Beach State on the ropes before eventually falling, 48-47, Saturday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Courtney Murphy drained two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to lift the Beach to its 12th straight win while snapping UH's three-game win streak.

UH dropped to 11-13 overall and 9-6 in the Big West while slipping into a tie for fourth in the league standings. Meanwhile, Long Beach State (19-7, 14-2) maintained its perch on the top of the league while winning in Honolulu for the first time in its last 10 tries.  

UH lost despite a stellar defensive effort that limited the Beach to just 32 percent shooting and held them scoreless for over four minutes down the stretch. But LBSU came up when it counted the most, overcoming a three-point deficit by scoring on its final two possessions, including the game-winning free throws. The Beach went 9-of-9 from the line on the night. The Rainbow Wahine were hindered by 23 turnovers, including those in each of its final two possessions.

UH got a stellar effort by Lily Wahinekapu as led all scores with 21 points, her most in a Rainbow Wahine uniform. The sophomore guard scored 15 of those from behind the arc, going 5-of-10 on three-pointers. Kallin Spiller added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. 

The game was a defensive battle early on as the teams combined for just 18 points in the first quarter. But Malia Bambrick caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 10 of her 12 points in the frame. Bambrick's hot hand gave the Beach a  26-21 lead at the half. 

UH came out strong after the break with a 16-6 run to take the lead. The third quarter was fueled by  Wahinekapu, who hit a trio of three-pointers as UH took a 40-37 lead going into the final frame. 

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but UH looked to take control late. A Spiller bucket with 53 seconds gave the 'Bows a 47-44 lead as LBSU was reeling from a four-minute scoring drought. However, Tori Harris ended the drought with a layup and 41 seconds left that pulled LBSU within one. 

After UH committed a shot clock violation, LBSU got the ball back with 10 seconds left. Murphy was fouled off an inbounds pass, and after drilling two free throws, UH had a chance to answer with 1.7 seconds left. But UH's inbound pass went astray, and the Beach escaped with the victory.

UH will continue with its homestand on Monday by hosting CSU Bakersfield at 2 p.m. HT. The 'Bows knocked off the Roadrunners earlier in the season on Jan. 28th, 51-47. 

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