Box Score

HONOLULU - Lamisha Augustine nailed a jumper with 25 seconds remaining to lift San Jose State to a 56-54 win over Hawaii in a Western Athletic Conference showdown Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH dropped to 8-9 overall and 4-6 in the WAC with its third straight loss.

Augustine's jumper spoiled what was shaping to be a thrilling comeback for the Rainbow Wahine. UH came all the way back from an 11-point deficit in the second half and took a two-point lead on an Alofa Toiaivao bucket with 1:32. But the Spartans (14-6, 7-3 WAC) scored the final four points to escape with their fifth straight victory. The win was also their fifth straight over UH, a series once dominated by the Rainbow Wahine.

Janevia Taylor led four Rainbow Wahine in double figures with 16 points, while Brittany Grice nabbed a career-high 13 rebounds. Augustine finished with 15 points for the Spartans, while Amber Jackson led the way with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

With the loss UH fell below .500 for the first time since early in the season. The Rainbow Wahine also dropped to seventh in the WAC standings while the Spartans moved into sole possession of second place.

It was the second straight nail-biter between the teams after an overtime meeting won by the Spartans a month earlier in San Jose. UH held a 21-18 midway through the first half, but the Spartans went on an 11-1 run. San Jose State led by as many as 10 points before taking a 36-29 lead into the locker room. Jessica Kellog scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers to lead the Spartan attack in the first half.

Hawaii would fall behind by as many as 11 points, 46-35 and trailed by double-digits with less than 10 minutes remaining. But the Rainbow Wahine battled back and when Amy Sanders made good on a put back with 3:10 remaining, the game was tied at 52-52. Toiaivao gave UH its first lead of the second half at the 1:32 mark, but Jackson answered right back on the Spartan's next possession. After Augustine converted on the go-ahead jumper, UH held the final possession and a chance to tie the game, but missed on two attempts in the last 10 seconds. The Rainbow Wahine shot 29.6 percent for the game and just 24 percent in the second half.

UH continues its three-game home stand with a meeting against WAC-leading Louisiana Tech on Thursday, February 10. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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