Box Score

HONOLULU--Hawaii set itself up for an upset win but couldn't follow through as Rice came away with a 61-56 decision Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine, who have yet to win back-to-back games this year, dropped to 5-12 overall and 3-5 in the WAC.

Hawaii led for much of the game, but Rice came roaring back with a strong second half. Rice wouldn't take its first lead until 12 minutes left in the game, but once they took it, they never relinquished it. The win kept Rice (10-7, 7-1) atop the WAC standings and extended the Lady Owls win streak in Honolulu to three games.

UH's defensive tenacity put the team in position to win. The Rainbow Wahine, who led by as many as eight points, held the Lady Owls to just 33 percent shooting and took a 29-26 lead into the locker room. But after launching 11 3-point attempts in the first half--and missing 10 of them--Rice went to its power game in the second half. The Lady Owls shot 43 percent in the second half and attempted just five 3-pointers in the second half instead getting the ball to forwards Elisa Inman (16 points) and Michelle Woods (15 points).

UH, meanwhile, struggled to shoot just 31 percent in the second half. Hawaii scored the first four points of the second half to extend its lead to seven points, but the Owls used a 12-3 run, capped by a Lindsey Maynard bucket, to move ahead, 38-36 with 12 minutes left. UH would not lead again.

Hawaii lost despite double-digit performances by four players. Freshman Janevia Taylor led UH in scoring for the second straight game with 15 points, while Amy Sanders added a season-high 11 points. Jade Abele and April Atuaia each had 10.

UH plays the second of three straight home games when they host Tulsa on Saturday, January 31. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.