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Women's Basketball

FRESHMAN SAVES THE DAY
Wagner’s Late Heroics Lift the Rainbow Wahine

Box Score

HONOLULU—Chelsea Wagner scored a career-high 21 points, including eight straight points late in the second half, to help lift Hawaii to a 62-53 win over Tulsa Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center. With the win UH improved to 17-5 overall and leapfrogged the Golden Hurricane for second place in the WAC standings with a 10-3 mark.

UH overcame a horrendous first half and by the second half a battle was underway with seven lead changes. The Rainbow Wahine were clinging to a 44-43 lead with a little under seven minutes left when Wagner single-handedly broke the game open.

The 5-10 freshman made back-to-back open court steals, converting both Tulsa turnovers into breakaway layups, including one for a 3-point play. Before the Golden Hurricane could respond, Wagner was back at it again, driving to the hoop for another bucket and a foul. In less than 75 seconds the Rainbow Wahine had turned a one-point edge into a nine-point lead. Tulsa (15-9, 10-4 WAC) couldn't recover and had their five-game win streak halted.

UH won despite one of its worst halves of basketball this season. The Rainbow Wahine missed their first five shots of the game didn't get on the scoreboard for the first four minutes. UH shot just 31 percent and turned the ball over 11 times in the first half yet trailed just 26-23 at the break.

The Rainbow Wahine, who trailed by as many as nine points in the game, picked up their play in the second half. UH shot 50 percent, out-rebounded Tulsa, 20-13, and turned the ball over just five times to pull out their second close win in a row.

Karena Greeny added 17 points to the UH cause, while Natasja Allen was one rebound short of a double-double and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Becky Heidotten led Tulsa with 14 points.

UH next hosts Rice on Sunday in a key conference matchup. The Lady Owls lost to San Jose State, 67-64, Thursday to drop a half game behind the Rainbow Wahine. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. HST.

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