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Women's Basketball

Broncos Bounce Rainbow Wahine From WAC Tourney, 72-63

Box Score

RENO, Nev. - For the third straight year Hawai`i made an early exit from the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Boise State eliminated UH with a 72-63 quarterfinal final win Wednesday afternoon at the Lawlor Events Center.

The third-seeded Rainbow Wahine (18-10) got off to a torrid start and led by as many as 13 points in the first half before the sixth-seeded Broncos (15-14) rallied in the second half. Michelle Hessing led the Boise State second-half push, scoring 15 of her team-high 17 points in the period. At one point Hessing scored 11 straight BSU points, helping her squad build a 12-point cushion late in the game.

Junior Dalia Solia led UH with 16 points and eight rebounds. The junior finished 4-of-8 from beyond 3-point range. Guard Janevia Taylor added 15 points, six assists, and six boards. Senior guard Amy Sanders finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Boise State entered the game as the best 3-point shooting team in the WAC, but it was the Rainbow Wahine who showcased their long ball skills early. UH took a 31-18 midway through the first half by hitting seven of its first 11 3-point attempts. Solia came off the bench to score 11 points in her first five minutes of action, including her first three 3-point attempts.

UH though went cold all of a sudden, scoring just four points in the final nine minutes of the half as the Broncos cut the Hawai`i lead to five at the break. Things didn't get much better in the second half as the Broncos crashed the boards and got the ball inside, fouling out UH post players Brittany Grice and Tanya Smith. Jackie Thompson's layup put the Bronco's up 38-37 with 17:34 left and the Rainbow Wahine would never lead again.

Hawai'i shot just 33 percent in the second half and missed 12 of its final 13 3-point attempts. The Broncos out-scored UH, 42- 28 in the second half, and finished with a 44-36 advantage on the boards, including 15 offensive rebounds.

With 18 wins UH awaits a possible bid to the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Selections for the 40-team tournament will be announced on Monday, March 13.

-UH-
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