Box Score

HONOLULU--Hawaii seemed poised for its first victory of the year but eventually succumbed to Hartford, 79-76, in overtime Friday in the first-round of the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic. UH (0-3) held a double-digit lead heading into the second half but couldn't hold on in dropping its third straight to start the season.

Hartford, which trailed by as many as 14, shot close to 60 percent and hit 7-of-10 3-pointers in the second half to pull off the come-from-behind win. The Hawk's improved to 3-0 and advanced to the tournament semifinals where they will face Montana, a 65-55 winner over Syracuse, at 3:20 p.m Saturday.

The Rainbow Wahine, who suffered their first opening-round loss in the Classic since 1988, face Syracuse in the consolation bracket. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH lost despite inspired performances by junior tri-captain Jade Abele and Milia Macfarlane. Both finished with career-high scoring performances, Abele with 21 and Macfarlane with 12.

The Rainbow Wahine had a chance to win the game on the last possession of regulation, but Macfarlane's bank shot from the left wing bounced off the rim. UH, trailing by three in overtime, again had last possession with a chance to send the game to a second extra session, but the team was unable to get a shot off.

After dropping two games last week, the Rainbow Wahine came out a determined bunch. UH led for nearly the entire first half and an Abele 3-pointer as the half expired gave the Rainbow Wahine a 34-22 lead heading into the locker room.

UH extended its lead to 14 points early in the second half but a barrage of Hartford 3-pointers and untimely turnovers got the Hawks back in. Bridget Murray's 3-pointer with six minutes left tied the score and it was a battle from there. In overtime, Liz Stich gave Hartford the lead for good on a 3-pointer with 1:26 left.

Hawaii won the battle of the boards (40-36) and the free throw line (20-13), but Hartford doubled up UH on 3-pointers (8-4) and shot 45 percent from the field to UH's 43 percent.

Texas and Virginia will meet up in the tournament's other semifinal at 5:30 p.m. The No. 2 Longhorns cruised past Navy, 97-46, while Virginia edged No. 18 Arizona, 70-65. Arizona and Navy will meet up at 1:10 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

Friday's Results
Texas 97, Navy 46
Virginia 70, Arizona 65
Hartford 79, Hawaii 76 (overtime)
Montana 65, Syracuse 55

Saturday's Schedule
Hawaii vs. Hartford, 11 a.m.
Arizona vs. Navy, 1:10 p.m.
Montana vs. Hartford, 3:20 p.m.
Virginia vs. Texas, 5:30 p.m.