Box Score

HONOLULU - Santa Clara used a late surge to defeat Hawaii, 75-68 in the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Broncos scored the final eight points of the game, handing the Rainbow Wahine just their second season-opening loss in the last 16 years, while also spoiling the debut of first-year head coach Jim Bolla.

Hawaii (0-1) and Santa Clara (1-1) played a see-saw game with the lead changing hands four times in the closing minutes. Jade Abele's layup with 1:28 remaining gave the Rainbow Wahine a 68-67 advantage. But the Broncos Kasey Montheith answered with jumper from the foul line on the next possession and SCU would not trail again.

The Bronco's won the game on the strength of their long-range shooting. Santa Clara nailed a Rainbow Wahine Classic record 13 3-pointers, including nine in the first half alone. The 13 treys also set a record by a UH opponent, breaking the mark of 12 by San Jose State last season.

UH came out of the gates strong, scoring the game's first six points. The Rainbow Wahine forced the Broncos to miss nine of their first 10 shots, igniting the Rainbow Wahine fast break. Hawaii built a double-digit lead, 24-13, a little more than 10 minutes in, but that's when the Broncos got hot. SCU hit 9-of-19 from behind the arc by the break to take a 45-37 lead into the locker room.

SCU extended their lead by as many as 12 points in the second half, but UH stepped up the defense and recaptured the lead with eight minutes left on a Trisha Nishimoto layup. UH led by four points, 66-62, with four minutes left, but were unable to pull away as the Broncos hung tough and hit two timely 3-pointers in the closing minutes to nab the win.

Jade Abele led a balanced UH attack with 13 points, while Janevia Taylor added 12 and Brittany Grice 10. Ashley Graham led the Broncos with 18 points and was 4-of-7 from behind the arc.

Hawaii next faces Utah in the second round of the tournament. Game time is set for 1:10 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Friday's Results
#3 Georgia 77, Idaho 55
TCU 96, California 89
#13 Michigan State 56, Utah 54
Santa Clara 75, Hawaii 68

Saturday's Schedule
California vs. Idaho, 11:00 a.m.
Hawaii vs. Utah, 1:10 p.m.
#13 Michigan State vs. Santa Clara, 3:20 p.m.
#3 Georgia vs. TCU, 5:30 p.m.

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