Box Score

LOGAN, Utah - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team picked up a much-needed win with a 62-57 decision over Utah State Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. UH (8-12, 2-6) snapped a five-game road losing streak while picking up its second Western Athletic Conference win of the year.

UH had its inside-outside game going as Tanya Smith scored 18 of her game-high 24 points in the second half, while freshman wing Megan Tinnin finished with a season-high 17 points in her first career start. The native of Albuquerque, NM, nailed 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and added four rebounds and four assists.

The Rainbow Wahine offense finally found some rhythm with a revamped starting lineup. Aside from Tinnin's insertion, senior center Brittany Grice returned to the starting lineup for the first time since mid-December, while junior point guard Amy Kotani gained her first start since the second game of the season.

UH never trailed in the game but had to hold off a furious rally in the closing minutes by the Aggies (7-12, 3-4 WAC), who cut a nine-point deficit with just over two minutes remaining to just one with 20 seconds left. After a Tinnin free throw, Utah State trailed, 59-57, and had a chance to tie or win the game in the closing seconds. But Janevia Taylor stole the ball and subsequently nailed three free throws for the final difference.

Six missed free throws by UH down the stretch allowed the Aggies back in, but the Rainbow Wahine were solid at the line for most of the game. UH finished 19-of-26 with Smith nailing all but one of her 11 attempts from the line. The Rainbow also dominated inside with six blocks and a 42-33 rebound advantage.

UH led by as many as 10 points in the first half and 11 midway though the second. The Aggies hit the locker room with some momentum as Taylor Richard's buzzer-beating three-pointer from 27 feet out capped a 9-2 Aggie run and cut the deficit to just 25-22. UH, however, seized the momentum out of the locker room, scoring six straight points, all coming inside the paint.

Pam Tambini enjoyed her second straight double-double for UH with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Richards led Utah State with 12 points and Brittany Phillips finished with 11.

The Rainbow Wahine return home where they will begin the second round of its conference schedule with a meeting versus Nevada on Saturday, Feb. 3. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

-UH-