Box Score SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's basketball team gave third-place Hawai'i Pacific University a scare but was unable to complete a near-comeback in a 79-78 Pacific West Conference loss on Saturday night.

The Penguins (2-14/2-8 PacWest) trailed 46-34 at halftime and by as much as 13 in the game. A Carly Holboke basket kicked off a 14-5 run that cut the lead to three, 62-59, just under the 10-minute mark. The Penguins (10-4/6-2 PacWest) had big stops at the defensive end, thanks in large part to the season-high six blocks by Sarah Nelson. Still, the Sea Warriors pushed the lead back to seven on the backend of a Laken McClelland free throw with 3:22 to play.

A Danielle Yamauchi three-pointer and Salonika Quewon-Owens layup kept the Penguins within striking distance, down four points. A Nelson and-one made it a one-point ballgame with 41 seconds left. Shots didn't fall after that though, as three baskets wouldn't fall, including a good look by Quewon-Owens that would have won the game at the buzzer.

Quewon-Owens led all players with a career-high 23 points, 19 of those coming in the second half as she had her way in the paint and around the rim most of the night. In addition to her six blocks, Nelson poured in 16 points and freshman Carly Holboke added 13 points. Nelson and Quewon-Owens both had double-doubles. Nelson had a season-high 11 rebounds and Quewon-Owens grabbed 10. All nine Penguins who stepped onto the court scored, though one glaring hole in the Penguins' arsenal came at the free throw line, where Dominican went just 11-of-22 on the night.

Four players scored in double digits for the Sea Warriors, with Ieva Nagy and Skye Skavini each scoring 17 points apiece.

The Penguins host UH Hilo on Thursday, Jan. 23 in another PacWest doubleheader. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. in the Conlan Center with live coverage available at dominicanathletics.com/live.