Box Score
HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team got back in the win column with a 71-61 victory over Idaho Wednesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine (7-10, 1-4 WAC) picked up its first conference win of the year and in the process ended a five-game losing streak.
The Rainbow Wahine dominated inside and were led by junior forward Tanya Smith. Smith made good on her first 10 shots en route to a 24 point, nine-rebound performance. It was the second 20-point performance in the last three games for the native of Sydney, Australia, who finished 11-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Smith was the main cog in an attack that scored 50 points in the paint. Hawai`i got off to a fast start scoring 34 of its 41 first-half points from inside the key and ended the game shooting a season-high 50 percent (30-of-60) from the floor, while also tallying a season-high 24 assists. UH also proved superior on the backboards, with a 43-30 rebounding edge.
The Rainbow Wahine led from wire-to-wire, though they did have to resist a late Idaho rally. UH led by 10 at halftime and was in cruise control, leading 61-40 with under 10 minutes remaining. Idaho made a strong push closing within six points, 64-58, following an 18-3 run. The Rainbow Wahine, however, closed the door on Idaho the rest of the way, allowing just one Vandal field goal in the final four minutes.
UH improved to a perfect 5-0 all-time against Idaho, including 4-0 in Honolulu, while handing the Vandals (3-13, 0-5) their ninth straight loss.
Pam Tambini enjoyed a solid all-around game for UH with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Saundra Cariaga also finished in double-figures with 10 points. Janevia Taylor tallied a game-high eight assists. Liz Witte and Sarah Dennehy led the Vandals with 15 points each, while Katie Madison finished with 13 points, six points under league-leading average.
Hawai`i looks to use the momentum of its first win of the calendar year in a showdown at the Stan Sheriff Center with first-place Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m.
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