Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine basketball team was eliminated from the 2007 Western Athletic Conference Tournament, following a 72-47 loss to fourth-seeded Fresno State, Wednesday afternoon, at the Pan American Center. UH, the tournament's fifth seed, finishes its season at 15-14 and dropped its fourth consecutive tournament opener since 2004.

The Bulldogs (18-12) continued their dominance of Hawai'i, winning for the seventh time in the last eight meetings. FSU advances to the semifinals where it will meet the winner of top-seeded Boise State and San Jose State on Friday.

The Rainbow Wahine, who finished the regular season by winning eight of their final nine, could not overcome a sluggish start. UH trailed 11-2 and 16-4 through the first five minutes and eventually fell behind 42-23 at the half.

Janevia Taylor led UH with 12 points but converted only 5-of-24 attempts. Amy Kotani added 11 and tied a career-best with three three-pointers. Tanya Smith, an all-WAC first team selection, was held to six points but grabbed 10 rebounds.

Senior Brittany Grice, who missed the team's last two games, entered game with 4:50 left in the first half, and scored her first basket moments later. She finished with six points and four rebounds in 14 minutes of action.

UH, which got within15 twice in the second half, scored a season-low in points and suffered its largest defeat of the year. The Rainbow Wahine also committed 20 turnovers and made just 4-of-21 three point attempts. Overall, Hawai'i shot a season-low 26.5 percent from the field, including a 21.6 clip in the second half.

Four Bulldogs scored in double figures led by Chantella Perera's 16 points. Jenny Thigpen came off the bench and added 13 points and 12 rebounds. FSU shot 57.1 percent in the opening period and 49.1 percent for the game.

Despite the loss, UH finished the season with its second straight winning season and 10th in the last 12 years.

-UH-