HONOLULU – No. 14 California used a 13-0 run midway through the first half to claim the lead and coast to a 79-72 win over Hawaii at the Rainbow Wahine Classic held at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Bears (3-0) trailed 24-22 before a combination of lockdown defense and efficient scoring saw the Bears take a 13-0 run over the next 4:11 to put the game out of reach for the home team. Mikayla Cowling started the run with a layup, and it ended with five consecutive points from Mercedes Jefflo as Cal jumped ahead 35-24 with just 5:19 remaining in the first half.

The Golden Bear lead swelled to as many as 16 points and never went below five as Hawaii (2-1) could not stop all of the California offensive threats. Six different Bears scored at least six points in the game, led by Mikayla Cowling's 18 points.

Cowling (18 points, 9 rebounds), Brittany Boyd (17 points, 9 assists) and Gabby Green (8 points, 8 rebounds) all nearly had double-doubles for Cal in the second game of tournament.

Hawaii closed to within six points in the closing minutes of the game, but a Cowling runner with 1:25 remaining ended the Hawaii run to put the Bears ahead 75-67.

The Rainbow Wahine sunk three of four technical fouls shots and forced a turnover for another layup to cut the Golden Bear lead to just five at 77-72 in the final 15 seconds, but Boyd sunk two free throws to lead Cal to the victory.

California takes on Missouri, a 79-60 winner over UNLV, on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (PT) at the Stan Sheriff Center.