HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team used a historic defensive performance to power a 56-15 rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Coming off a rare two-game home losing streak, the Rainbow Wahine got back on track with a resounding victory that moved them to 6-3 overall. 

The 15 points was the least amount UH has ever allowed against a Division I opponent, obliterating the previous mark of 31 by UTEP on Jan. 7, 1999.  UH held the Lions (2-7) to just two points in the first quarter and shut them out entirely in the third quarter to pick up the easy 41-point victory. That last time the 'Bows won by such wide a margin was nearly 24 years ago, when UH defeated Detroit, 97-53, on Dec. 18, 2000.

After a slow offensive start, UH settled in to hit a season-high 11 three-pointers, including a perfect 3-of-3 night from Brooklyn Rewers who finished with a team-high 13 points. Lily Wahinekapu had a trio of three-pointers as well to add 11 points.  

By contrast the Lions went just 1-of-24 from beyond the arc on a night in which they shot just 11 percent overall (6-of-55) from the field. The Lions attempted just two free throws all game, while the 'Bows also forced 19 APB turnovers. UH set program records for fewest field goals allowed, lowest opponent field-goal percentage, and fewest assists allowed (two).

The 15 points allowed by UH were the fewest allowed by a Division I team since March 3, 2012, when UTRGV held Houston Christian to 14 points. The six field goals allowed were the fewest allowed by a Division I team since South Florida held Saint Francis to five on Nov. 24, 2019. It was also the lowest field-goal percentage allowed by a Division I team since Feb. 4, 2012, when Davidson limited Charleston to 10.0%.

The teams started a combined 0-for-13 before Wahinekapu hit a 3-pointer at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter. UH maintained the shutout until the Lady Lions finally scored with 17 seconds left in the first quarter. At half, UH led 21-9. 
  
The 'Bows got it done on both ends of the quarter to truly break the game open. UH shutout Pine Bluff, 25-0, in that quarter.  UH hit five 3-pointers in that quarter alone, including three by a sizzling Rewers, and were 9-of-15 overall from the field. The Lady Lions, meanwhile, missed all 16 of their field goal attempts in the third with seven of them from beyond the arc.
 
The Rainbow Wahine will now head for the road and the San Diego Classic. UH wil face Clemson at on Friday, Dec. 20 at 1:30 p.m. HT, before taking on host San Diego State the next day at the same time.