Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine basketball team picked up steam in the second half then held off a late rally to hold on for a 74-72 win over Nevada Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 9-12 overall and 3-6 in the Western Athletic Conference with their second straight win.

UH enjoyed its best shooting performance in nearly 10 years but needed to hold off an aggressive Wolf Pack (12-10, 6-3 WAC) squad, who nearly overcame an 11-point deficit in the final three minutes. Hawai`i hit 63 percent from the floor, its best shooting night since a 1998 home win versus Fresno State, when the Rainbow Wahine hit a 68 percent clip. The 74 points was also a season-high for the Rainbow Wahine.

Pam Tambini led three Rainbow Wahine in double figures with 19 points, including back-to-back three-pointers five minutes into the second half to make it 44-40, as UH would not trail again. Tanya Smith finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Brittany Grice 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

UH broke open a tight game midway through the second half with a 9-0 run that put the Rainbow Wahine up by double-digits. Janevia Taylor's three-pointer gave UH a comfortable 68-57 lead with just 3:42 remaining, but Nevada scored nine unanswered to pull within two points with 1:22 remaining.

Nearly a minute later, Nevada had a chance to tie the game as Dellena Criner hit a driving layp and drew a foul to make it 73-72. Criner, however, missed the free throw and Smith hit a free throw with nine seconds left for the final margin. The Wolf Pack had an opportunity to win the game but Bre`Anna Henry's three-pointer was off the mark.

The Rainbow Wahine were hot from the floor, but the final was tight due to cold free throw shooting (12-23, .522) and 29 turnovers. UH, however, would not be denied its second straight victory as the Rainbow Wahine converted 29-of-46 from the floor and received strong performances off the bench from Cassidy Chretien (nine points) and Taylor (eight points second-half points and six assists).

The Rainbow Wahine next head for the road and a meeting with the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is at 7:05 p.m. MST.

-UH-