Box Score

LOGAN, Utah - Hawai`i suffered through its worst shooting night of the season but gutted out a 63-50 win over Utah State Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 15-8 overall and 6-6 in the WAC with their fourth win in the last five contests.

Hawai`i used an 11-0 run and scored 20 of the game's final 25 points to defeat the Aggies (3-19, 2-10) by double-digits and notch its third straight road win. Despite the final margin, UH escaped with the victory after trailing for much of the game against a Utah State squad, that despite sitting in the WAC cellar, had entered the game winners of two of its last three. With the win, UH remained in fourth place in the WAC, a half game behind third-place Nevada.

Hawai`i shot a season-low 27 percent from the floor but compensated with a massive effort on the boards and the free throw line. The Rainbow Wahine out-rebounded the Aggies, 52-39, and generated numerous second chance opportunities with 25 offensive boards. The Rainbow Wahine also shot 25-of-29 (86 percent) from the free throw line, where they scored their final nine points to seal the game.

Amy Sanders and Janevia Taylor each scored 17 points to pace the Rainbow Wahine. Sophomore post Tanya Smith recorded her third career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Pam Tambini grabbed a career-high12 rebounds. Jessica Freeman and Ali Marchant each had 11 points for the Aggies.

The weather outside was freezing and so was the Rainbow Wahine offense. UH missed 10 of its first 11 shots and dug itself into an early nine-point hole. The Rainbow Wahine shot just 23 percent in the first half and trailed, 28-23, at the break. Utah State expanded its lead to seven to begin the second half, but UH eventually took the lead on a Taylor 3-pointer with 12 minutes remaining.

The turning point occurred deep into the second half. A Marchant layup at the six minute mark gave the Aggies a 45-43 lead at the six minute mark. UH, however, responded with 11 unanswered points, capped by a Taylor jumper, to give the squad a comfortable 54-45 lead with 2:40 left. UH then proceeded to hit 9-of-10 from the line to ice the game.

The Rainbow Wahine played without starting center Brittany Grice, who was at home in California due to family reasons. The junior missed the first game of her career, breaking a string of 76 consecutive games and 55 straight starts.

The Rainbow Wahine return to Honolulu for their final homestand of the season, beginning with a contest versus the Idaho Vandals on Wednesday, February 22. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

-UH-