LAS VEGAS – The Hawai'i women's basketball team could not keep pace with No. 19 Texas A&M on Wednesday in the opening game of the Duel in the Desert, falling to the Aggies 103-59 at Cox Pavilion.
 
The Aggies (10-2) shot 67 percent from the field and 63 percent from 3-point range, both season-highs for UH opponents, to down the Rainbow Wahine (6-5). The 'Bows had no answer for 6-foot-5 post Khaalia Hillsman, who scored a game-high 25 points on 12-of-12 shooting, and added six rebounds for the Aggies.
 
Sarah Toeaina and Makenna Woodfolk led UH with 10 points each. Toeaina hit 5-of-9 from the field and added three rebounds, while Woodfolk went 4-of-10 and hit two of Hawai'i's five 3-pointers.
 
Lahni Salanoa added nine points and two boards, and Tia Kanoa, Lauren Rewers and Amy Atwell each added six. In her first action of the season, Taylor Donohue hit her only shot of the game and logged 10 minutes of action. Twelve UH players appeared in the game, 11 played 10 or more minutes, and 10 scored at least two points.
 
The Rainbow Wahine held a 5-4 lead early on after a 3-pointer from Woodfolk and a layup from Toeaina on the opening two possessions, but the Aggies responded with a 15-0 run, and led comfortably for the remainder of the contest.
 
UH committed a season-low nine turnovers in the game and finished with 12 assists on 26 baskets. The Rainbow Wahine shot 37 percent (26-of-70) from the field and attempted 10 more shots than the Aggies, but Texas A&M dominated the paint, where the Aggies outscored the 'Bows 52-16 and owned a 45-22 rebounding advantage.
 
Hawai'i will wrap up the Duel in the Desert against No. 10 Oregon on Friday at 10:00 a.m. HT at Cox Pavilion.