Box Score
HONOLULU—The University of Hawaii Wahine basketball team faced a nationally-ranked opponent for the second time this season and for the second time, the Wahine would take their opponent to the wire. UH, however, would fall short again this time to the No. 9 Baylor Lady Bears, 70-65, in the opening night of the Tesoro Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Hawaii dropped to 4-2 on the season, while Baylor remained undefeated at 8-0.
The Wahine took their first lead of the game, 44-43, on an April Atuaia layup with 10:30 left in the game. UH extended its lead to four points when freshman Chelsea Wagner hit a 3-pointer on the next possession as UH looked to beat its first ranked team in three years. Baylor however answered with six straight points to retain the lead and they would not trail again.
The Wahine almost pulled off the upset despite a horrendous start in which they missed their first 10 shots of the game. Baylor quickly built a double-digit lead and led by as many as 11 points in the first half. UH did not get its first field goal until Christa Brossman hit a jumper seven minutes into the game.
The Wahine generated most of its offense in the first frame at the free throw line where they converted 18-of-22 attempts to stay within striking distance. UH trailed just 32-30 at the half, despite making just 6-of-25 from the field.
The game was tied 53-53 but Baylor hung steady at the line, hitting 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch. In the end UH could not stop Baylor's All-Americans Sheila Lambert and Danielle Crockrom who combined for 47 of the Lady Bear's 70 points. Crockrom finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Lambert had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Atuaia scored a career high 23 points and also added a team-high nine rebounds to lead the Wahine. Junior center Christen Roper finished with five blocks and became the school's all-time leader in the category with 145, breaking the old mark of 141 set by Nani Cockett.
Hawaii next faces Illinois-Chicago on Sunday, December 9th. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
