Box Score

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Hawaii out-scored UC Irvine 45-14 in the second half as the Rainbow Wahine defeated the Anteaters 75-37 at the Stan Sheriff Center Thursday.

Big West leading Hawaii (18-7, 10-2) shot 56.3 percent (18-32) from the field in the second period and dominated the boards 59-25 for the game. Hawaii converted on opportunities, scoring 15 points on UCI turnovers and 16 points on second chances.

The 38-point margin of defeat was tied for the second worst this season for UCI who falls to 5-21 overall and 2-9 in the Big West.

Reigning Big West Player of the Week Mokun Fajemisin led UCI with 11 points before fouling out with 9:49 to play. Guard Raelyn Cheung-Sutton added eight points and a team-high six rebounds, while forward Shereen Sutherland and guard Tierra Hicks totaled six points apiece.

Hawaii was led by Megan Huff with 12 points off the bench. Ashleigh Karaitana and Shawna-Lei Kuehu had 11 points each. Kuehu also had a team-high eight rebounds. All 13 Hawaii players grabbed at least one rebound. The UH bench scored 45 of the team's points.

Hawaii didn't score its first basket until a three-pointer by Ashleigh Karaitana at 14:04, but free throws kept the Rainbow Wahine in the game as they would take a 7-4 lead. UCI went on an 8-2 run capped by a Mokun Fajemisin jumper to close to 17-16 at 5:40, but Hawaii would score the next five and close the half out-scoring UCI 13-5 to go in to the locker room with a 30-23 advantage.

Hawaii led 37-27 before Shawna-Lei Kuehu scored the first seven points in an 11-0 UH run extending the Rainbow Wahine lead to 48-27 with 12:15 remaining. After a Raelyn Cheung-Sutton layup at 11:53, Hawaii would peel off 20 straight to take a commanding 68-29 lead. After an almost 10 minute drought, Tierra Hicks would hit a three-pointer for the Anteaters at 2:09 (2:13)

UCI will travel to CSUN Saturday (Feb. 21) for a 4:00 p.m. tip at the Matadome.