Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's basketball led for over 39 minutes Saturday night against New Mexico State, but the Aggies scored the game's final basketball with 10 seconds left to beat the Rainbow Wahine 59-58 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH played a solid first half, leading by as many as 19 points. In the second half, the pace of the game slowed down, but the Rainbow Wahine maintained its lead until the very end. With the loss UH ends the regular season with a 12-17 overall record and a 6-10 WAC record.

The Rainbow Wahine will have another opportunity against the Aggies in just a couple days. UH finished as the No. 6 seed in the WAC Tournament, while New Mexico State is the No. 3 seed. The WAC Tournament begins Wednesday, March 12 with UH and New Mexico State facing each other in the first round at 6 p.m. MST.

UH had three players score in double figures, led by junior Tara Hittle, who scored a career-high 16 points and added a career-high 13 rebounds for her second double-double this season.

On senior night, the Rainbow Wahine saw three seniors on the floor make their final appearance. Saundra Cariaga finished with 10 points and five assists, Amy Kotani had 11 points and Tanya Smith added 10 rebounds and four points.

Injured seniors Iwona Zagrobelna and Shannon Nishi were also honored with a postgame ceremony, along with Cariaga, Kotani and Smith.

In the opening half, the Rainbow Wahine jumped out to an early lead and led by 19 points with five minutes left in the half. UH went into the break with a 38-24 lead.

The Rainbow Wahine shot 45.2 percent from the field and went 7 for 12 from 3-point range. Keisha Kanekoa had three 3-pointers for nine points and Amy Kotani added eight points, including two 3-pointers.

UH also played great defense over the 20 minutes. The Rainbow Wahine held the Aggies to 27.3 percent shooting and outrebounded New Mexico State 25-21.

The Rainbow Wahine head to the WAC Tournament beginning Wednesday, March 12 in Las Cruces, N.M. For the second straight year the tournament is being held at the Pan Am Center, the home of New Mexico State. UH will face New Mexico State in the opening round at 6 p.m. (MST). The Rainbow Wahine are the No. 6 seed, while the Aggies are the No. 3 seed.

-UH-