Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team (3-1) opened up the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic with an 85-51 win against the Libscomb Lady Bisons (1-4) Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center. It was the largest margin of victory for the Rainbow Wahine under fourth-year head coach Jim Bolla.

The Rainbow Wahine were led by senior Tanya Smith who had 16 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth straight double-double of the season. Three other Rainbow Wahine finished in double figures, including Megan Tinnin (15), Dita Liepkalne (14) and Iwona Zagrobelna (10).

The Rainbow Wahine never trailed, pouncing on the Lady Bisons for an early 19-4 lead. UH's defense held the Lady Bisons without a field goal for the first nine minutes as Lipscomb missed 13 straight field goal attempts to start the game.

UH continued its assault offensively behind Tinnin's three pointers. She tallied three in the first half. Tinnin led the way for the UH in the first half with a game-high 11 points. Smith also had eight to pace the Rainbow Wahine in the first half to give UH their largest halftime lead of the season, 45-20. Smith led all players with eight rebounds in the first half.

The second half was much of the same for the Rainbow Wahine as they extended their lead to as many as 37 points late in the game.

The Rainbow Wahine relied on their defense throughout the contest, forcing 20 turnovers that led to 17 points. The Lady Bisons were held to only 14 field goals off 61 attempts, a dismal 23 percent.

UH advanced to the championship bracket for the third straight year and will now face, Hartford, a 83-74 winner over UAB, in a semifinal game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Day One Results
Hartord 83, UAB 74
Hawai`i 85, Lipscomb 51
Virginia 86, No. 21 Texas 83
Minnesota 92, Kentucky 80

Day Two Schedule
Lipscomb vs. UAB, 11:00 a.m.
Kentucky vs. Texas, 1:10 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Virginia, 3:20 p.m.
Hawai`i vs. Hartford, 5:30 p.m.

-UH-