Hawaii Baptist's Ally Wada blocks a shot attempt by University Lab's British Dawson. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Hawaii Baptist's Ally Wada blocks a shot attempt by University Lab's British Dawson. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Everyone knows the old cliche that defense wins championships. 

Given that the Hawaii Baptist girls basketball team are the defending Division II state champions, it's no surprise that the Eagles used defense to win big last Friday night at Dan Liu Gymnasium.

A pesky full court press and a disciplined half court defense helped Hawaii Baptist go on a 31-0 run during the first half of a 57-18 win over University Lab on homecoming.

The Eagles struggled out of the gate offensively, unable to hit wide-open shots from the perimeter, and trailed 7-3 midway through the opening period.

"It seems like every homecoming we always seem to start off a little bit shaky, a little bit slow," said Hawaii Baptist coach Keith Sugiura. "I think some of our shots were a little bit long to begin with, so I think it's just kind of the atmosphere of homecoming." 

With the offense in a lull, the Eagles turned up the pressure defensively.

"I think for us, we've been struggling this season sometimes with being consistent with our shooting," said Sugiura. "I think with trying to put a little bit more pressure, hopefully for us it would maybe result in some easier transition points. We've been trying to emphasize, trying to limit our opponents in putting them at the line and giving them scoring opportunities there."

The visiting Jr. Bows were bothered by the Eagles and could not get a shot fall through the bottom of the net until the buzzer for halftime sounded, making the score 34-10 at the break.

With a big lead in its pocket, Hawaii Baptist able to get many of its bench players into the game in the second half to join in on the fun. 

For the struggles that the Eagles have had to deal with throughout the season, it was a fitting way to send their three seniors off with a bang in their senior game. 

"It's definitely good to have a win after the two losses, especially in this environment," said junior Ally Wada, who had 11 points in the win. "It's really exciting, everyone got to play so I think that's good."

The two losses that Wada was referring to was an early regular season loss to Mid-Pacific, and a 47-46 stunner to Saint Francis in the Eagles' first game of the new year. 

Hawaii Baptist had some players out in the Saint Francis game, but Sugiura said that the loss to the Saints will benefit his team in the long run.

"I think the Saint Francis loss was good because I think it kind of maybe made us hungry (and) it gave an opportunity for our younger players to get that game experience." 

Those younger players include sophomore Kyley Nakagawa and freshman Sasha Phillips, who had key contributions in the win over University Lab. Nakagawa scored nine points with three steals while Phillips, who generally plays in the paint, knocked down two straightaway treys. 

"They're finding their role on the team so I think that's good," said Wada. 

Wada added that she hopes the homecoming win can propel them throughout the postseason.

"We only have two more regular season games so hopefully we can win out and use that momentum in the state tournament." 

Hawaii Baptist wraps up the regular season with road games at Hanalani and La Pietra this week.