By Jacob Norling
December 2, 2023
 
(HONOLULU, Hi.) Westmont struggled to get going offensively on Saturday afternoon in an eventual 57-32 loss to the Hawaii Pacific Sharks. After being held to single-digits in the first quarter, Westmont was never able to cut into an HPU lead that continued to grow as the game wore on.
 
"Obviously not a lot went right today," said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. "We struggled to find any way to put the ball in the basket. We had a lot of wide open looks and just couldn't knock 'em down.
 
"We're going to stay focused on our defense, and just keep trying to get better every day. My challenge to the team is to remain fighters and remain problem-solvers. We've just got to keep getting better."
 
Similarly to Thursday's contest the Warriors were unable to find offensive success early on. On Saturday. Westmont converted just one of their first 14 shots from the field, allowing HPU to build a 12-4 by the first media timeout (3:19). Things would get worse before they got better for Westmont, as by the end of the first the Warriors trailed 18-7 on two of 20 shooting.
 
In the second quarter it took Westmont nearly five minutes to get on the board, and by the time they did, the Sharks' lead had grown to 29-9 at the 5:46 mark. A few made shots by Isabella Pearson got Westmont back within 14 at 31-17, but HPU ended the half on a 7-0 run to enter the locker room leading 38-17.
 
Four minutes into the second half HPU's lead extended to 44-19, with Westmont unable to make a dent. By the time the game entered the fourth quarter, HPU led Westmont 51-27. Neither side scored much in the fourth quarter with the Sharks adding six to their tally and the Warriors adding five.
 
Still, the damage was already done as Hawaii Pacific cruised to the 25-point win.
 
Individually, Pearson led Westmont with eight points, with Kate Goostrey behind her with seven. Sage Kramer, who scored four points, led Westmont with 10 rebounds, while Molly Garnand, who also scored four, grabbed six boards.
 
Moore's club will conclude its Hawaii trip with a 5:30 p.m. HST/7:30 p.m. PST tip-off against Hawaii Hilo on Monday night. Links to live coverage are available on the Westmont Athletics website.