Box Score

HONOLULU--The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team picked up its fifth straight win in impressive fashion, defeating Fresno State, 79-65, Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH led for nearly the entire game and squelched a late rally by the Bulldogs with a game-ending 24-9 run.

With the win UH (12-12, 6-6 WAC) moved just a half game behind Fresno State (13-11, 6-5 WAC), Nevada and Utah State for third in the Western Athletic Conference standings. The Rainbow Wahine also ended a six-game losing streak to Fresno State, which was longest current streak against a WAC opponent. The Rainbow Wahine last defeated the Bulldogs in January 2004 in Fresno.

The Rainbow Wahine got its most balanced--if not best--offensive performance of the year, setting a season-high in points, while shooting better than 50 percent for the second straight home game. UH assisted on 22 of its 29 field goals and ten different players got in the scoring column. Five Rainbow Wahine finished in double-figures with Cassidy Chretien and Brittany Grice leading the way with 15 points each.

Chretien enjoyed a career-game, setting highs in points and assists (7). The native of Lake Charles, La., who hit a pair of game-winning free throws in UH's last contest at Louisiana Tech, followed that performance by going 11-of-12 from the line versus the Bulldogs. Amy Kotani also set a career-high with 12 points, including a timely three-pointer late in the game to help turn back the Bulldogs. Pam Tambini (14 points) and Tanya Smith (12) also finished in double digits for UH.

Chantella Perera led Fresno State with 18 points, followed by Tierre Wilson (14) and Paige Diggs (13).

UH scored the first six points of the game and led the entire first half, despite having Smith, the team's top scorer and rebounder in conference, saddled to the bench in foul trouble just three minutes into the game. The Rainbow Wahine took a 31-27 lead into the locker room and built a nine-point lead early in the second half.

The Rainbow Wahine trailed just once in the game. Erica Henry's layup at the 6:26 mark capped a 12-4 run and gave the Bulldogs a 56-55 lead. The lead, though, wouldn't last long as Kotani hit a three-pointer for UH just 25 seconds later and after a three-point play by Grice on UH's next possession, the Rainbow Wahine regained control of the game and never looked back.

The Rainbow Wahine look to continue its win streak and move up the conference standings with a match up versus Utah State on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m.

-UH-