Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's basketball team lost in the championship game of the Bank of Hawai`i Invitational to Iona College, 91-69 on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Rainbow Wahine got off to a slow start against the Gaels and could never recover. With the loss UH falls to 6-7 on the season. Also finishing 1-1 in the invitational was William and Mary, who beat UC Irvine 71-56 in the consolation game Saturday. UC Irvine finished 0-2.

Senior Saundra Cariaga led the way for the Rainbow Wahine, scoring 16 points and added three rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Cariaga has now scored double-digits in five straight games and the 16 points matches a career-high she set last season.

Topping off the weekend for Cariaga, she was named to the All-Tournament Team. She recorded her first career double-double Friday night with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Rainbow Wahine also received solid performances by seniors Tanya Smith and Iwona Zagrobelna. Smith recorded her ninth double-double of the year and her fourth straight with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Zagrobelna, coming off a career-high Friday night, recorded 15 points and eight rebounds Saturday night.

UH had plenty of offense against Iona, but the Gaels put up 91 points on 42.7 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Gaels had four players score in double figures.

The Rainbow Wahine shot 37.3 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from 3-point range. UH also committed 22 turnovers to Iona's 14.

The Bank of Hawai`i Invitational concludes non-conference play for the Rainbow Wahine. UH will have over a week off before beginning WAC play January 9 at Utah State.

The Rainbow Wahine will play their first four conference games on the road and return to the Stan Sheriff Center January 24 against Boise State.

Bank of Hawai`i Invitational All-Tournament Team
Stephanie Duda, UC Irvine
Tiffany Benson, William and Mary
Saundra Cariaga, Hawai`i
Anna McLean, Iona
Thazina Cook, Iona

Most Valuable Player
Lauren Defalco, Iona

-UH-