The Red Raiders (7-1) shot 44 percent for the game (31-of-69) while holding to Rainbow Wahine (6-3) to just 22 percent (11-of-50). Pierson was the tournament's MVP.

In another game, Tennessee-Chattanooga defeated Loyola Marymount, 59-52.

"I thought it might have been the most complete 40 minutes that we have played this year because we have a lot of respect for Hawai'i," Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "They've played some really good basketball teams very close."

When Pierson got into foul trouble, Jametra Clark came off the bench to score eight points.

"She was a big part of what we did today," Sharp said of Clark. "She disrupted on the defensive end and went to the rim well with the ball."

Tech led by one point before going on a 14-3 run midway through the fist half and held a 33-17 lead at intermission.

The 27-point loss was the Rainbow Wahine's largest margin of defeat this year and their 40-point output was the lowest of the season.

"We had our chances to take them one-on-one, but they play good team defense and they come across and help," Hawai'i coach Vince Goo said. "Regardless of who they had on the floor, we still needed to score."

Hawaii scored 16 of its points on 26 free throws, while the Red Raiders were 4-of-7 from the foul line.

Christen Roper led Hawai'i with 13 points and nine rebounds.