LAS VEGAS – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine basketball team (4-6) fell to the UNLV Lady Rebels (6-5) 67-54 in the semifinals of the Duel in the Desert at Cox Arena Sunday.

 

Breanna Arbuckle had a double-double, posting 12 points and 13 rebounds. Julita Bungaite added seven points and nine rebounds while Leilani Galdones posted eight points and four assists.

 

UNLV used a 9-0 run early on to take a 12-5 lead with just under nine minutes to go in a low-scoring first half. The Rebels got it to 23-9 on six consecutive points by Amanda Anderson before a late three-pointer by Arbuckle made the halftime score 23-12.

 

Hawai'i scored a couple early buckets to start the second half before Kelli Thompson took control, scoring eight consecutive UNLV points to make it 33-21. Erica Helms added a three and a layup to get it to 38-21. The Rebels got their lead as high as 54-31 before closing out the 67-54 victory.

 

The Rainbow Wahine will now face No. 6 Florida State in the Duel in the Desert third-place game tomorrow.

 

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