Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Cal State Northridge, 72-61, Tuesday night at The Matadome. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 4-2 with a win in its first road game of the season.

After trailing by as many 14 points and playing its most lackluster half of the season, UH came out of the locker room with renewed energy. The Rainbow Wahine out-scored the Matadors, 46-22, in the second half to win running away.

Pam Tambini led the UH comeback with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Janevia Taylor added 16 points, including three 3-pointers in the second half. Tanya Smith chipped in 15 points and nine boards, while Saundra Cariaga scored all but two of her 10 points after the break to help UH pull away.

Once again the Rainbow Wahine defense keyed the victory. UH shot just 22 percent from the field in the first half and faced its largest halftime deficit of the season, 39-26. Matadors Ofa Tulikihihifo and Krisztina Fuleki combined for 23 points in the first half to give Northridge a double-digit lead.

But the Rainbow Wahine turned the tables in the second half, stifling Northridge (3-6) to just 19 percent shooting. The Matadors converted just six field goals in the second half and were limited to just two in the final 10 minutes when the Rainbow Wahine sealed the comeback. Meanwhile Tulikihihifo and Fuleki combined for just two points after the break.

The Rainbow Wahine offense also got into gear in the second half, shooting 50 percent. UH went on a 22-7 run out of the locker room as Iwona Zagrobelna's jumper at the 13:36 mark gave UH its first lead of the game, 48-46. After Northridge regained the lead, 52-50, Taylor scored UH's next eight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Rainbow Wahine a lead they would not relinquish.

UH continues its three-game road trip with a meeting against Loyola Marymount on Thursday, Dec. 7. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PST.

-UH-