RIVERSIDE, Calif.— The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team came away with a 60-49 win on the road at UC Riverside Thursday evening at SRC Arena.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (13-13, 11-6) completed the season sweep of UCR with the victory and stayed in the top four of the Big West standings with three games left. The Highlanders (5-23, 3-15) remain in the cellar of the conference standings and have dropped six in a row.
 
Despite a dismal first half, leading to a 31-22 deficit heading into the third quarter, UH stayed within range due to freshman forward Imani Perez. The 6'4 Denver, Colorado native scored nine of her career-high 11 points through the first 20 minutes, while sophomore guard Daejah Phillips contributed seven points in the half.
 
The third quarter proved to be the difference maker for UH, outscoring UCR 21-7, and captured the lead at the 1:39 mark off a three by sophomore forward Meilani McBee. The Highlanders kept it close through the fourth quarter, but the 'Bows pulled away in the latter minutes for their seventh double-digit win of the season.
 
Sophomore guard Lily Wahinekapu accounted for 17 points for her 12th consecutive game of 10 or more points and swiped a career-high six steals. Phillips finished with 10 points in 33 minutes of action.
 
The Highlanders outrebounded the 'Bows 44-32, but the deciding factor was the turnover battle. UH committed 12 turnovers but forced 23 miscues resulting in 15 steals by the 'Bows for 20 points off turnovers.
 
Next up for the 'Bows will be their final road contest of the regular season as they stop at UC Irvine on Saturday. In Honolulu on Jan. 19, UH forced overtime with the Anteaters but fell 71-67, despite four different players scoring 10 or more points.