Box Score

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team played the best second half in four games, leading to a 70-54 victory over San Jose State at the Event Center in San Jose, Calif.

The Rainbow Wahine were tied with the Spartans at halftime, then went on a 21-7 run to open up its largest lead of the game at 53-39 with just under 10 minutes left in the game.

UH would never look back after that run, leading to its first victory in four games. UH outscored San Jose State 38-22 in the second frame. The Rainbow Wahine improve to 7-10 overall and picked up their first WAC victory and are now 1-3. San Jose State fell to 1-15 overall and 0-3 in WAC play.

Megan Tinnin helped spark UH in the second half, scoring 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Rainbow Wahine defense was also stingy in the second half, as San Jose State shot 23.1 percent from the field to start the half.

Offensively the Rainbow Wahine had a balanced attack. Tinnin finished with a career-high 18 points in her first start of the year. Tinnin went 6 for 18 from the field, including making three 3-pointers.

The UH balanced offensive attack also saw Dita Liepkalne score 12 points and grab eight rebounds. Tanya Smith added 11 points and eight rebounds, just missing her eighth straight double-double. Saundra Cariaga and Iwona Zagrobelna each chipped in with eight points.

The Rainbow Wahine shot the ball well from the field Saturday night, showing why their the WAC leaders. UH shot 45.9 percent from the field, going 28 for 61 from the floor. UH also outrebounded San Jose State 45-23.

In the opening half, the Rainbow Wahine closed on an 11-7 run to tie the game 32-32. UH struggled at times offensively, but stayed in the game with a late push.

Offensively UH gained momentum by going inside. Tanya Smith had 10 points and six rebounds and Iwona Zagrobelna had eight points and three rebounds. As a team the Rainbow Wahine shot 46.9 percent from the field. But UH struggled keeping possession of the ball, turning the ball over 16 times.

Coming off the bench late in the first half was Tara Hittle, making her first appearance in a UH basketball uniform. Hittle is coming off her junior year of volleyball and suited up for the UH women's basketball team for the second straight game. Hittle grabbed one rebound in one minute of action.

The Rainbow Wahine return to the Stan Sheriff Center on Thursday, January 24 when they host Boise State at 7 p.m. Thursday's game will be UH's first home WAC game and the Rainbow Wahine will host Idaho on Saturday, January 26 at 7 p.m.

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