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HONOLULU-The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (12-9, 5-3 Big West) knocked off UC Irvine (4-18, 1-7 Big West), 59-35 at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday night. After a slow start in the first quarter, the Rainbow Wahine offense got on a roll while their defense clamped down forcing 25 total turnovers and holding UC Irvine to just 35 points-the fewest points allowed since UH defeated LIU Brooklyn 52-33 on Dec. 28, 2012. UH outscored the Anteaters 20-9 in the second quarter and 23-6 in the third and 53-27 in the last three quarters. Megan Huff led all scorers with 15 points while Destiny King had a game-high nine rebounds. All 11 UH players suited up scored at least two points in the win.

The Rainbow Wahine struggled early on and trailed the Anteaters 8-6 at the end of the first quarter. But the 'Bows got back on track in the second quarter as the defense started to force turnovers and the offense to flow. Ashleigh Karaitiana got off to a slow start as well, going 0-for-8 from the floor to start the game, but after that she sparked UH with seven points plus an assist to lead the 'Bows into the half with a 26-17 lead. The Rainbow Wahine continued to pull away in the second half with all 11 players getting into the game. For the 'Bows, it was the first time this season that they won back-to-back conference games thus far this year.

Huff, was the only Rainbow Wahine to finish scoring in double-digits. She was just one point short of her career-high with 15 points on 4-of-7 field goal shooting while making a career-high seven free throws in 10 attempts. She also had five rebounds, one steal, and a season-high three blocked shots in 29 minutes of action. King was second on the team with eight points while Olivia Crawford, Ashleigh Karaitiana and Marissa Wimbley all scored seven apiece.

For the 17^th time this season and sixth-straight game, the 'Bows outrebounded their opponent. UH cleared 40 boards to UCI's 34 while UH outscored the Anteaters 26-to-14 in the paint and 18-to-4 in second chance points.

UC Irvine was led by Mokun Fajemisin who scored 11 points while Andrea Ritter pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Prior to the game, the Rainbow Wahine and head coach Laura Beeman honored the late Patsy T. Mink for her pioneering efforts in authoring the Title IX Amendment. Mink's brother, Eugene Takemoto and his wife Frances were recognized and presented with an autographed game ball from the team.

The Rainbow Wahine will now hit the road for two games as they take on Cal Poly on Feb. 4 at 7:00 pm and UC Santa Barbara at 2:00 pm. Both times are Pacific Time Zone.