Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The University of Hawai`i women's basketball team rallied late in the second half to cut the lead to six points, but New Mexico State held on to beat UH 69-57 on Sunday night at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M.

 

The Rainbow Wahine held the lead early in the game and rallied late in the game, but the Aggies fought off UH each time.

 

With the loss UH falls to 5-19 overall and 2-9 in WAC action. New Mexico State improved to 8-17 overall and 4-7 in conference play.

 

Offensively, Dita Liepkalne led the way with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and two 3-pointers. Liepkalne also added four rebounds in 32 minutes of action.

 

Sophomore Allie Patterson added an offensive spark in the second half, scoring seven of her nine points in the final 20 minutes and Tara Hittle added seven points and five rebounds.

 

Senior Catherine Cho scored six points and grabbed six rebounds and Megan Tinnin had seven points and nine rebounds.

 

Both teams shot the ball well from the floor, with UH shooting 42.9 percent and New Mexico State shooting 45.0 percent.

 

In the first half, the Rainbow Wahine carried the lead for the first 10 minutes, leading 16-14 midway through. The Aggies came back to take the lead 18-16 and never gave it up over the next 10 minutes, leading 32-26 at the break.

 

Liepkalne came out shooting hot for the Rainbow Wahine, leading UH with nine points in the first half. Hittle had five points and Cho and Rebecca Dew added four points each.

 

The Rainbow Wahine return to the islands and begin a four-game WAC home stand, beginning Friday, Feb. 20 against New Mexico State at 7 p.m. It will be the second time this year UH faces an opponent in back-to-back games.