Box Score

HONOLULU - Hawai`i's home struggles continued with a 69-62 loss to Fresno State Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 13-8 overall and 4-6 in the WAC with its fourth loss in its last five home conference games.

The loss was also UH's fifth straight against Fresno State. The Bulldogs have won six of the last seven in a series once dominated by the Rainbow Wahine. With the win Fresno State (17-5, 9-1) remained in a tie for first in the WAC with Louisiana Tech. UH, meanwhile, is currently in a five-way tie for fourth in the conference.

UH lost despite a career-effort from junior wing player Dalia Solia, who poured in 22 points, eclipsing her previous high of 17 set in her freshman campaign. Solia also added eight rebounds and three assists. Janevia Taylor chipped in 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Rainbow Wahine. Four Bulldogs finished in double-figures, led by Tierre Wilson's 15 points.

Unlike the first meeting in which the Bulldogs won by 25, this contest was a battle throughout. Fresno State would win again by putting together a solid second half effort. The Bulldogs held a slim two-point lead at the break but built a double-digit lead in the second half and repelled numerous comeback attempts by UH.

The first half was fast-paced and a highly entertaining first 20 minutes. The teams traded blows, switching leads six times before the Bulldogs took a 36-34 lead at the break. UH shot 50 percent and hit their first five 3-point attempts, while Taylor and Solia accounted for 26 of UH's 34 first-half points. Fresno State began to pull away in the second half, building a 10-point lead on Chantella Perera 3-pointer with 11:45 remaining. The Rainbow Wahine cut the deficit to three points on a pair of occasions, but would get no closer.

For the second straight meeting a relentless Bulldog defense got the best of the Rainbow Wahine as Fresno State forced 26 Hawai`i turnovers, 13 in each half. The Bulldogs finished with 15 steals and six blocked shots. Fresno State also got it done on offense as only the second team all year to shoot 50 percent versus the Rainbows. Meanwhile, the Bulldog bench outscored UH, 21-2.

The Rainbow Wahine, who are now 1-4 in WAC home games, look to gain back some of its edge when they host Boise State Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

-UH-