Los Angeles, Calif.— The University of Hawai'i dropped their second consecutive game to start the 2021-2022 campaign, with a final of 90-50 at the University of Southern California inside the historic Galen Center.
The Rainbow Wahine (2-0) are now 0-7 against the Pac-12 power and are 0-4 under head coach
Laura Beeman. The Women of Troy (1-0) brought newly appointed head coach Lindsay Gottlieb her first victory at the program's helm.
It was a battle for the 'Bows in the first half, but they overcame an early deficit to keep them in the game. At 5:43 on the clock in the first quarter USC led 25-9, but UH put together a 17-8 run, pulling within seven in the closing seconds of the second quarter. A floater with time expiring by the Women of Troy extended their lead going into the half, 35-26.
The third quarter didn't provide the outcome UH was hoping for, as USC opened with an 8-0 run, eventually building their lead to as much as 18 in the quarter. UH showed life, pulling with 11 at 56-45 with under a minute to play in the quarter.
As the game rolled into the final 10 minutes, USC outpowered UH 28 to 5 for the eventual final.
Senior forward
Kallin Spiller recorded her first career double-double picking up 14 points and 10 rebounds. The transfer from Columbia and former WCC Freshman of the Year at Seattle played 21 minutes and added two blocks to her stat line.
Joining Spiller as the other double-digit scorer for UH was senior guard
McKenna Haire. The transfer from Princeton picked up 11 points, hitting three-of-six from long distance and recording 21 minutes of play off the bench.
UH improved on their turnovers issues compared to the game before at San Diego with 27 miscues. On Thursday, they had 17 turnovers, but nine of those occurred in the fourth quarter. Shooting wise the 'Bows struggled, hitting 30% from the floor compared to 52% by USC. The Women of Troy added nine made three-pointers, hitting 53% from beyond the arc.
UH will now go back to the island of O'ahu for the Bank of Hawai'i Classic. The 'Bows will host Portland, Portland State, and Prairie View, playing two games over three days. Action will begin on Friday with Prairie View taking on Portland State at 4:30 p.m. HT, followed by UH and Portland at 7 p.m. HT.
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