Box Score
RUSTON, La. - Hawaii was thinking upset but in the end Louisiana Tech proved too much. The Lady Techsters defeated the Rainbow Wahine, 68-54, Saturday night at the Thomas Assembly Center, dropping UH to 6-6 overall and 2-3 in the WAC.
Hawaii led by as many as 10 points in the first half and took a 34-32 lead into the locker room. But Louisiana Tech went on a second-half blitz, outscoring UH 36-20 to beat the Rainbow Wahine for the 14th straight time. UH trailed by as many as 20 in the second half and were held to just 12 points in the second frame, until tacking on eight quick points in the final 50 seconds.
Amy Sanders led UH with 11 points, while Janeiva Taylor added 10. Jade Abele recorded her second straight double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, but was held to just two points and one rebound in the second half.
Things were looking good for the Rainbow Wahine in the first half as UH had the Lady Techster on the ropes with a double-digit lead. UH went on a 17-5 run to take a 23-13 lead with 7:25 left. UH maintained its double-digit edge, 34-24, as late as 2:23 remaining in the first half after Taylor's 3-pointer, UH's sixth of the half.
The Lady Techsters however took momentum into the locker room by scoring the final eight points of the half to make it just 34-32 at the break. Despite the halftime lead, UH found itself in serious foul trouble with post players Brittany Grice with four fouls and Alofa Toiaivao with three. The pair started the second half on the bench and 6-7 center Margaret DeCiman went to work scoring the first five points of the second half, giving the Lady Techsters the lead.
Louisiana Tech wouldn't trail again and held UH to just 27 percent shooting in the second half, including 1-of-9 from 3-point land. Tasha Crain led three Lady Techsters in double-digits with 12 points.
After playing three straight on the road, the Rainbow Wahine return home for a pair of home games starting on Thursday, January 20 versus UTEP. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
-uh-
