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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — When graduate guard Tammy Brawner hit a jump shot to give a one point lead to the Dominican University of California women's basketball team, there was no looking back against the University of Hawai'i, Hilo. The lead stretched as Dominican took advantage of late turnovers by the Vulcans, closing Thursday night victorious 61-56 in Pacific West Conference play. Brawner had a career-high 18 points.

With UHH (7-8/7-4) up 9-2 to open the game, it appeared to be a runaway. The Vulcans even lead by as much as nine in the half, but Dominican (4-13/2-5) battled to keep in reach with significant contributions from senior center Raquel Gomes with six first half points and sophomore guard Stephanie Carnes with five. Brawner provided a spark for the Lady Penguins with five of her own points in the first half, including a layup with just four seconds remaining in the opening period. The layup took Dominican into the locker room with a 27-26 lead.

To open the second half, UHH took charge with a 6-0 run forcing Dominican Head Coach Brianna Chambers to take a timeout less than two minutes into the half. The timeout didn't resolve matters for the Lady Penguins as the Vulcan run continued with a three-point basket from sophomore guard Kirsty Imai that stretched the lead to 35-27. Domincan finally broke the run with a free throw from senior guard Kelsey Janusch. The first Lady Penguin field goal in the half came at 13:24 with a layup from Carnes.

However, persistence paid dividends late in the game for Dominican. Down 50-37 with 7:40 remaining, a layup by Gomes started a run allowing the Lady Penguins to get back into the game. Following the layup were two free throws from Brawner, a three point basket from freshman guard Noelle Roldan, and two free throws by sophomore forward Melissa Wise, which cut the UHH lead to 50-46. After UHH sophomore guard Natalie Mata ended the Lady Penguin run with a basket, Roldan and junior guard Taki Te Koi scored back-to-back baskets bringing Dominican down two, 52-50.

Capping off another run was a three point basket from sophomore guard Kimi Nakamura with 3:28 remining, giving the first lead for the Lady Penguins since the start of the second half.

After a basket from junior guard Phylicia Schultz and two more free throws from Brawner, Dominican was ahead 55-54. Schultz gave UHH the lead again on another basket.

With just 50 seconds remaining, Brawner gave the Lady Penguins a 57-56 lead with a jump shot. This would be the final lead change. Nakamura hit two free throws to extend the Domincan lead to 59-56.

After a timeout by UHH with 10.5 seconds remaining, there was one chance to tie the game. However, Vulcan senior guard Kayce Kirihara stepped out of bounds. Janusch sealed the victory with two free throws leading to the final, 61-56.

UHH was led by junior forward Hillary Hurley's double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds. 

Ta Koi left the game late with a knee injury and did not return. Her status is unknown for future games.

The Lady Penguins close a four game homestand Saturday, Jan. 29 against Hawai'i Pacific University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on http://radio.dominican.edu and can also be viewed at www.dominicanathletics.com/livevideo. In the first meeting this season between Dominican and HPU, the Sea Warriors won 66-56 on January 14.