Davis, Calif.— The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team put together an aggressive fourth quarter run but dropped its second consecutive Big West Conference matchup on the road to UC Davis, 62-49.
The Rainbow Wahine (6-9) lost their fourth consecutive game and have dropped five in a row on the road to UC Davis, dating back to 2015. The Aggies (6-9) bounced back after a 75-70 loss to UC Riverside on Thursday to pick up their first conference win of the season.
The second quarter proved to be the difference-maker against the green and white as the Aggies held UH to only four points over 10 minutes, swinging a 13-7 UH lead to a 27-17 deficit at the half. UCD continued to have the hot hand in the third frame, doubling up on UH 22-11. The fourth quarter had a flash of the dramatic as the 'Bows went on a 19-3 tear pulling within five at 52-47. The Aggies answered by ending the game on a 10-2 stretch for the eventual final.
Senior guard
Julissa Tago led the potential comeback for UH, scoring 14 of her season-high 25 points in the final frame. Tago hit 9-of-20 from the floor while hitting a season-high six three-point buckets, and three in the fourth quarter. She has scored double-digits in three of her last five games.
Sophomore forward
Myrrah Joseph worked the paint for 12 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
UH struggled from the field, hitting 29 percent from the floor and 24 percent from beyond the arc, except for Tago's production, the 'Bows went 1-16 from three-point territory. Rebounding continues to be a point of emphasis for UH, being outrebounded 46-33, resulting in 14-second chance points for the home squad.
The 'Bows return to the island of O'ahu for their first two Big West games at home on Jan. 16 and Jan. 18, beginning first with UC Riverside. UH will host the Highlanders as a part of Military Appreciation Day, joining up with the Rainbow Warriors for a doubleheader on Thursday.
