Box Score

RENO, Nev. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team lost its fourth straight game with a 69-59 defeat to Nevada Thursday night at the Lawlor Events Center. The loss dropped UH to 6-9 overall and 0-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Despite trailing almost the entirety, Hawai`i hung tough and stayed within striking distance until the final minutes. A season-high 33 turnovers ultimately doomed the Rainbow Wahine, who had a chance to cut a six-point deficit in the final minute but fittingly turned the ball over to seal their fate.

The loss spoiled a career-effort by Tanya Smith who recorded 25 points and 16 rebounds. The junior forward made 10-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Smith's scoring output was the highest by a Rainbow Wahine since Amy Sanders' 27-point outburst versus Louisiana Tech nearly two years ago. Pam Tambini added 14 points for UH and Janevia Taylor finished with a game-high seven assists.

Traci Graham led three players in double-figures for Nevada (8-8, 2-1 WAC) with 20 points, including 4-of-5 behind the three-point arc. Brandi Fitzgerald scored 13 points, while Dellena Criner added 12 for the Wolf Pack.

It was a topsy-turvy game with multiple runs by both teams. It was Nevada though who turned back every UH effort to steal the game. Hawai`i got off to a dreadful start as the Wolf Pack ran wild with 11 straight points barely two minutes into the game. Down 19-6, the Rainbow Wahine put together a run of their own scoring 14 straight points. Janevia Taylor's three-pointer as the shot clock expired gave UH its first lead and only lead of the game, 20-19, with 7:11 left in the half. The lead didn't last long as the Wolf Pack went on a 13-1 run to regain a double-digit margin, before taking a 37-31 lead at the break.

The second half was much like the first half as Nevada took a double-digit lead early on, before UH fought back with 10 unanswered to tie the score, 44-44 with 13 minutes left. The game was tied again, 46-46, before the Wolf Pack made a decisive 13-2 run. UH would quickly cut the lead to four just minutes later, but would get no closer.

The Rainbow Wahine will wrap up its first conference road trip of the year with a meeting versus Fresno State on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tipoff is at 1:00 p.m. PST.

-UH-