Box Score

HONOLULU - Hawai`i got defensive to win its final home game of the season, 57-49, over San Jose State Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. After dropping its last thee home finales, UH sent this year's senior class out on a winning note by limiting the Spartans to just 25 percent shooting and 49 points, the second lowest output by a UH opponent this year.

The Rainbow Wahine improved to 17-8 overall and 8-6 in the WAC with their fourth straight win and sixth victory in its last seven contests. The win also tied UH with Nevada for third-place in the WAC with two regular-season games remaining.

Hawai`i's amoeba defense flustered San Jose State (11-13, 6-8 WAC) all night, particularly leading scorer Lamisha Augustine. With 16 points, Augustine fell just one point shy of her WAC-leading scoring average, but was virtually ineffective from the floor hitting just 5-of-23 shots.

UH struggled itself on offense, but for the second game in a row got the ball inside where it needed. Junior post player Brittany Grice collected her seventh double-double of the season with a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Tanya Smith also notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The pair combined for 13 of the team's 20 field goals and shot nearly 70 percent from the floor, while the rest of the squad shot just 7-of-36 (19 percent).

Senior Amy Sanders, playing her final game in front of the home fans, struggled from the field (2-of-13), but rounded out a trio of Rainbow Wahine double-doubles with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sanders also added a game-high six assists.

The win was by no means easy as UH needed the final minutes to salt the game away. There were eight lead changes in the first half before the Rainbow Wahine took a three-point lead, 28-25, into the locker room. UH never trailed in the second half, but did not pull away until late. Nursing a 38-37, with less than eight minutes left, Smith scored six straight points for the Rainbow Wahine to spur a decisive 11-2 run that gave UH a 10-point lead.

With the game all but decided in the final minte, fellow seniors Brittney Aiwohi, Emily Helmly and Callie Spooner joined Sanders on the floor for their final playing time at home.

Hawai`i next heads to the road for its final two WAC regular-season games, starting with a matchup against New Mexico State on Thursday, March 2. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. MST.

-UH-