MAKAWAO, Hawaii (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant defensive performance that unraveled in a frantic final quarter, the Hawaii Warriors withstood a furious late rally by the Liberty Lady Flames to secure a 67-58 victory in a nonconference women’s basketball game Friday night at Seabury Hall.

The Warriors, improving to 6-5, built what appeared to be an insurmountable 25-point lead through three quarters, only to see the Lady Flames erupt for 26 points in the final period. Hawaii’s early work, anchored by a stifling defense that held Liberty to just 17 points across the second and third quarters, ultimately proved enough to earn the win.

Hawaii established control from the outset, leading 16-15 after a competitive first quarter. The game’s complexion changed dramatically in the second period. The Warriors locked down defensively, holding Liberty to a mere seven points on a series of forced turnovers and contested shots. Offensively, Hawaii found a rhythm behind Imani Perez and Keiara Curtis. Perez, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Denver, hit a key three-pointer, while Curtis contributed driving plays as the Warriors stretched their lead to 33-22 by halftime.

The third quarter saw Hawaii’s defense reach its peak. The Warriors held the Lady Flames to 10 points, extending their lead to 52-32 heading into the final frame. Perez was instrumental, swatting three shots and altering countless others, while Saniyah Neverson added two blocks of her own. The Warriors’ length and activity disrupted Liberty’s offensive sets completely, leading to rushed shots and 11 total turnovers through three quarters.

The most important part of the game, however, was Liberty’s desperate and nearly successful fourth-quarter surge. Trailing by 20, the Lady Flames abandoned caution and unleashed a barrage of three-pointers. Emma Leon of Barcelona, Spain, and Lydie Mwamba of Kinshasa, Congo, caught fire from the perimeter, combining for 19 points in the quarter. Liberty’s full-court pressure, largely absent for the first 30 minutes, forced several Hawaii turnovers, fueling a 19-4 run that brought the Lady Flames within single digits with under three minutes to play.

The Warriors, who had seen their offense stagnate, managed to stem the tide at the free-throw line. Perez and Curtis, who led Hawaii with 14 and 13 points respectively, hit crucial foul shots in the final minutes. A driving layup by Liberty’s Leon cut the deficit to 63-58 with just eight seconds remaining, but Hawaii’s Keiara Curtis sealed the game by sinking two final free throws.

Perez’s all-around line of 14 points, three blocks and two assists in 26 minutes was pivotal. Curtis added 13 points and three assists. For Liberty, which fell to 6-4, Leon and Mwamba each finished with 13 points, with all of Mwamba’s scoring coming in the second half. Claudia Acin of Girona, Spain, facilitated the offense with seven points and two assists in a team-high 31 minutes.

The game, played before a crowd of 1,357, saw Hawaii outscore Liberty 36-17 in the middle two quarters, a disparity that ultimately outweighed Liberty’s 26-15 advantage in the fourth. The Warriors’ defense, which entered the game allowing an average of 63.5 points per contest, held Liberty well below that mark until the final explosive period.

Hawaii now travels to face Montana State on Saturday, looking to build a winning streak. Liberty, which was projected as a heavy favorite by advanced metrics pregame, continues its road trip at Oregon State, also on Saturday, seeking to rebound from the loss.