Box Score

HONOLULU - Hawai`i got off to a disappointing start in Western Athletic Conference play with a 58-51 loss to New Mexico State Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine fell to 6-7 overall and 0-1 in the WAC with its second straight defeat.

UH struggled the entire first half, rallied to take the lead late in the game, but faltered down the stretch to lose to the Aggies (6-7, 1-0) for the second straight year at home. The loss put the Rainbow Wahine under .500 for the first time since UH's season-opening loss to USC last year.

Anika Jawara led New Mexico State with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Sherell Neal added 15 points and eight boards. Pam Tambini led UH with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Tanya Smith chipped in nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Rainbow Wahine.

The Aggies frustrated the Rainbow Wahine nearly the entire game, but UH put itself position to pull off an ugly win. Hawai`i held a four-point lead, 49-45, with six minutes remaining. UH, however, would score just one field goal the rest of the way as New Mexico State scored nine straight points to pull ahead and closed the game on a 13-2 run.

Turnovers, as well as a sluggish start, did the Rainbow Wahine in as UH gave a lackluster performance in the first half. At one point UH accumulated twice as many turnovers (8) as field goals (4) to fall behind by 13 points, 25-12. The Aggies led 30-24 at the break as a struggling Rainbow Wahine squad committed 11 turnovers and shot just 31 percent.

UH rallied in the second half, finally drawing even with the Aggies, 44-44, midway through the second half on a Smith bucket. The Rainbow Wahine took its first lead since the game's opening moments when Janevia Taylor's layup put UH up, 46-45, with 8:10 left. Hawai`i's, momentum eventually stalled and the Rainbow Wahine finished with 19 turnovers and 32 percent shooting. The Aggies converted 20 of their points off UH turnovers.

The Rainbow Wahine look to rebound on Saturday when they host defending WAC champion Louisiana Tech. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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