Game Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (10-15, 5-5 WAC) host their final homestand of the season this week against undefeated WAC-leader Fresno State  (22-4, 10-0 WAC) on Thursday and Nevada (5-20, 1-9 WAC) on Senior Night on Saturday.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off an epic roadtrip in which they defeated both New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech to move into fourth place with a 5-5 record. It marked the first time that UH was able to sweep the home-and-home series against Louisiana Tech since the Lady Techsters joined the WAC in the 2001-02 season. It was also just the second time Hawai`i was able to win at the Thomas Assembly Center in which the Lady Techsters have the second-highest home win percentage (91.3%) in the country with 487 wins to just 46 losses since 1974 second only to Tennessee. The only other time UH won in Ruston came on Feb. 10, 2007 when the 'Bows held off LaTech, 60-49. Ironically that year was also the last time the Rainbow Wahine won back-to-back games on a roadtrip—against the same two opponents that UH defeated this year, New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech. It also is the first time the the 'Bows have swept two WAC series in a season since 2007-08 (San Jose State and Idaho).
 
Sophomore Kamilah Jackson continues to be the cornerstone of the team, against Louisiana Tech, the forward poured in 19 points with nine rebounds—just one board shy of notching her 14th double-double this season. Jackson was clutch down the stretch of the game, grabbing several key defensive rebounds and sinking a pair of free throws in the waning moments against the Lady Techsters. Overall, she leads UH with 13.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Her 10.6 rebounds per game ranks her at No. 14 in the NCAA DI and is tops in conference. Jackson ranks No. 6 with 13 double-doubles.
 
Sophomore transfer Vicky Tagalicod  is second on the team averaging 10.6 points per game to go with 5.4 rebounds. Tagalicod has started the last 16 games for UH and has been steady on the offensive production end, posting double digits in points in 10-of-16 games this season with a season high 20 at Nevada (1/26).
 
Also contributing strongly in her senior campaign has been Breanna Arbuckle, who is averaging a career-best 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Her four blocks on this past road trip pushed her season total to a team-high 38 and her career mark to 139, just five blocks shy of tying former UH standout Nani Cockett's career total of 144 for third place in UH's career record book.

About Fresno State...
The Bulldogs come to Honolulu riding an 11-game win streak with a perfect 10-0 mark in WAC action. Their high-octane offense is averaging 75.7 points per game while holding their opponents to a 63.8 average per game. The Bulldogs have hit 247-of-686 3-pointers--which almost 100 more than the nearest WAC team, Idaho with 159 treys made. Leading Fresno State is sophomore standout Ki-Ki Moore who is second in conference with a team-high 17.0 points per game. Moore is also averaging a team high 7.2 rebounds and is solid across the board with 73 steals and 73 assists. In the first meeting against Fresno State, Moore scored 28 points against the 'Bows--23 of which came in the first half. Second on the team is Rosie Moult who is averaging 12.1 points with 5.1 rebounds per game. She leads the Bulldogs with 65 made 3-pointers and 16 blocks this season and is averaging a team-high 32.4 minutes a game. And, keep your eyes open on Taylor Thompson who runs the offense and leads Fresno State with 101 assists.
 
Game 26 Tip-off Notes
Who: Hawai'i (10-15, 5-5 WAC) vs. Fresno State (22-4, 10-0 WAC)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu, HI
Television: OCSports. Live statewide on Ch. 12 (SD) and 1012 (HD) with Jim Leahey (play-by-play) and Lori Santi (color). Re-telecast at 10:00 p.m.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available on ocsports.tv.
Radio: ESPN 1500 AM will carry the game live with Dave Kawada (play-by-play) and Tiff Wells (color). Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Ticket Information: General admission-adult: $7; General Admission-Senior Citizen: $5; Students (ages 4-high school): $3; UH Manoa Students receive admission to regular season home games by presenting a valid UH I.D.
Promotions:  Farmers Insurance Hawaii is the sponsor on Thursday and will distribute 1,000 seat cushions. Also, Jake Shimabukuro will perform the National Anthem & Hawaii Ponoi and play live at halftime for the "Musical Chairs" halftime contest. 
Coaches: Dana Takahara-Dias is in her third year at UH (30-54). Fresno State head coach Adrian Wiggins is in his seventh season and has a career record of 207-81 in nine seasons as a head coach. At Fresno State, he is 169-64 overall with a WAC mark of 96-18 in seven seasons.
Series record: Hawai'i is tied with Fresno State, 25-25 all-time. However, Fresno State has won the last 12 meetings in a row. The Rainbow Wahine's last win over Fresno State in Honolulu on Feb. 15, 2007 (79-65). On Jan. 28, Fresno State defeated UH 83-48 at the Save Mart Center.