Box Score
HONOLULU—The University of Hawaii Wahine basketball team held off a late rally by SMU to escape with a 52-51 win Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Wahine improved to 10-2 and 3-0 in the WAC with their sixth straight win.
Hawaii won despite shooting just 31 percent from the floor and nearly squandering a 13-point second half lead. Gritty defense again saved the day for the Wahine as they held SMU to just 31 percent shooting and denied the Mustangs on a possible game-winner in the game's final possession.
The Wahine led 52-46 with a little more than two minutes remaining, but the Mustangs (6-9, 1-4) scored five straight points to cut the margin to one with a minute left. UH failed to convert offensively in the final minute setting the stage for the heart-stopping finish. SMU had a chance to win the game in the waning seconds but Kenni Patton's runner in the lane fell off the mark.
The Wahine suffered a blow when leading scorer Natasja Allen went down with a sprained left ankle two minutes into the game. A hobbled Allen returned but failed to score a point. Meanwhile, center Christen Roper led UH with 12 rebounds but played just 24 minutes due to foul trouble.
Already thin in the post with Kim Willouhby out due to illness, the Wahine turned its offense to the outside and shot a season-high 21 3-pointers. Nearly half (14) of the teams 29 shots in the first half came from behind the arc. UH hit five of its treys in the first half to help the team stake a 29-20 lead at the half.
A pair of freshman provided just enough spark for the Wahine offensively. Chelsea Wagner led the team with a career-high 13 points in 19 minutes, while forward Jade Abele returned from a foot injury to play for the first time in six games. She responded with eight points and seven rebounds.
Senior point guard Janka Gabrielova added 10 points and six assists. Andrea Cossey led the Mustangs with 21 points.
The Wahine next face No.11 Louisiana Tech in a matchup of undefeated teams in the WAC. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game will be preceded by the annual Wahine alumnae game at 3 p.m.