Honolulu—A quick start by the University of Hawai'i women's basketball paved the way to a 94-70 win over visiting UC Irvine Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
"I'm glad our offense was working because our defense wasn't a times," said head coach Laura Beeman. "But tonight was fun, when shots are falling we show what we're capable of, and how fast we can play."
 
The Rainbow Wahine (10-10, 4-3) are back at the .500 mark since late December and have won four of their last five games against Big West Conference opponents. The Anteaters (5-15, 1-5) have dropped three in a row and will head to UC Riverside in search of their first conference win since Jan. 18.
 
The first 20 minutes featured an offensive onslaught by the 'Bows where they tallied 48 total points and recorded a new season-high for points scored in one half — highlighted by a 19-6 run beginning in the first quarter and carrying into the second, building to the 48-32 advantage for the green and white at the half.
 
Junior guard Jadynn Alexander set the fast pace tempo accounting for 14 of her career-high 19 points in the first half. The full spectrum of Alexander's game was featured as she shot 6-of-10 from the floor, 3-of-5 from three-point territory, and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line for the game.
 
Senior guard Julissa Tago continued her recent tear of scoring with a game-high 25 points tying her season-high. She has scored double digits in seven straight games and has registered four 20 point games in the same stretch. Tago went 10-for-21 from the floor, 5-for-13 from beyond the arc, and did not commit a turnover.
 
Adding to the scoring threat was sophomore forward Myrrah Joseph as she tallied 15 points tying her career-high. Joseph hit 7-of-14 from the field and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.
 
The 94 points scored by UH were not only a season-high, but it was also the most points scored in a game by the 'Bows since 2001. UH hit a season-high 51.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point land at 14-of-28. Many of the offense opportunities were a result of turnovers, fast-play, and points in the paint. UH forced 12 turnovers resulting in 17 points off turnovers, 12 fast break points, and 42 points in the paint.
 
As a team, the green and white only had seven miscues, and also outrebounded the Anteaters 38-32, making them 6-1 on the season when winning the rebounding battle.
 
The 'Bows will have a chance to continue their winning ways with a return matchup against Long Beach State Saturday at home with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. HT. The game will be shown live on Spectrum Sports and will be a part of a doubleheader with men's basketball.