Box Score
HONOLULU—Hawai'i captured the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic championship with a 68-55 win over Portland State Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The post tandem of
Christen Roper and
Natasja Allen led the way, combining for 38 points and 24 rebounds as the Wahine improved to 2-0 on the season.
Roper, named the tournament's most outstanding player, recorded her second straight double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. The 19 points tied a career high. The junior center also added two blocked shots. Allen, meanwhile recorded her first-ever double-double with a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds on her way to all-tournament honors.
The win wasn't easy as Portland State (1-1), coached by former UH assistant George Wolfe, gave the Wahine all they could handle. The Vikings carried the momentum of their upset win over Texas A&M on Saturday by scoring the first eight points of the game. After the Wahine bounced back to take a three-point lead Portland State scored 13 unanswered points to build 25-15 lead with 6:27 left in the first half.
UH, however, would close the first half strong , mounting a 17-2 run in the final four minutes to take a 32-27 lead at the break. UH would maintain the lead and after the Vikings tied it briefly, 36-36, UH got a free throw from April Atuaia and never looked back. Hawai'I held Portland State to just 8-of-28 shooting in the second half and out-rebounded the Vikings 45-32 for the game.
In earlier action, Texas A&M defeated Washington State, 71-56, in the consolation game. Joining Roper and Allen on the all-tournament team were UH's Janka Gabrielova, Brittney Hawks of Washington State, Meg Banahan of Texas A&M and Sarah Hedgepeth of Portaland State.
UH next faces Wyoming in the opening round of the 23rd Annual Panda Travel Rainbow Wahine Classic on November 23. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.