Box Score

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i Wahine basketball team won a hard-fought battle in the opening round of the Panda Travel Rainbow Wahine Classic with a 69-61 win over Wyoming Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Wahine scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed, yet needed double-double performances from three different players to secure the win.

Natasja Allen led the way with 16 points and 13 rebounds, April Atuaia added 15 points and 14 rebounds, and senior Karena Greeny had 12 points and 11 rebounds. All were career-highs in the rebounds department.

The Wahine out-rebounded the Cowgirls 56-37 and held Wyoming to just 30 percent shooting for the game.

UH came out sharp and led by as many as 13 points in the first half and held a 39-31 lead at the break on the strength of 48 percent shooting. The Wahine however, went cold in the second half and the Cowgirls crept to as close as two, 49-47, with a little over eight minutes left in the game. UH shot just 28 percent in the second frame and also struggled at the line going 12-of-21.

Atuaia , who added a game-high five assists, missed her first six free throws of the game, yet hit six-of-seven down the stretch to help lead the Wahine.

Carly Stucky led Wyoming (1-1) with 16 points, while Lisa McCann added 11.

The Wahine win sets up a semifinal matchup with No. 8 Stanford, a 96-65 winner over Minnesota. Tipoff is set for 1:20 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The other semifinal pits Penn State against Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. The Lady Lions defeated Florida Atlantic 89-66, while the Cowgirls beat Weber State 77-64. In the conslolation bracket Weber State will face Florida Atlantic at 9 a.m. while Minnesota will play Wyoming at 11:10 a.m.