HONOLULU, Hawai'i -- Azusa Pacific's unbeaten start to the season came to an end in the finale of their Hawaiian road trip, falling to 24^th-ranked Hawai'i Pacific by a final score of 86-75 Friday night in Honolulu.

The Sharks used an early 11-0 run to take control in the first quarter.  Freshman Molly Whitmore kept the Cougars in the game early with seven points off the bench in the first quarter, enabling the visitors to only be down by four after the opening frame.  Abbey Noblett and Starr Rivera combined for 21 of Hawai'i Pacific's 24 points in the first quarter.

The Cougars went cold from the field in the second quarter, hitting only three of their 12 field goal attempts, allowing the Sharks to stretch their lead to 11 at the half at 37-26.  It was the first time all season the Cougars had trailed by double digits.

Playing their third consecutive game against a ranked opponent, Hawai'i Pacific continued their hot shooting with a 10-2 run to open the third quarter and would press their advantage to as much as 23 in the second half.  The Cougars would stage a furious rally in the fourth, going on a 29-6 run and cutting the deficit to just three with 40 seconds remaining, but were unable to complete the comeback.

Zoe March led Azusa Pacific in scoring with 14 points.  She was joined in double figures by Whitmore (13), Laura Pranger (13), and Savanna Hanson (10), as all 10 Cougars who played in the game made at least one field goal.  Noblett and Rivera each had 25 points to lead the Sharks, who are now 3-0 this season against nationally-ranked opponents. 

Since the start of last season, Azusa Pacific has won 24 out of 27 games against PacWest opposition.  All three losses have come at the hands of Hawai'i Pacific.  The Cougars are now 7-1 on the season, 2-1 in conference play.  Their season-long five-game road trip continues next Saturday when they visit Fresno Pacific.