SAN JOSE, Calif, — The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team notched its first road win of the season with a 54-43 victory over San Jose State Wednesday evening at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (2-7) snapped a three-game losing streak and their first win away from the island of O'ahu in three tries. The Spartans (2-9) dropped their fourth game against a Big West opponent, finishing with a 1-4 record against the 'Bows native conference.
 
The first half didn't go as planned as UH shot 29% from the floor, while SJSU hit 32%, leading to a slight advantage for the Spartans at 21-20.
 
The third quarter provided a spark for the visiting 'Bows, including a 14-6 run in the third quarter after being tied at 25-25 for a 39-31 score with 10 minutes left. SJSU brought the game within four at 46-42 with 1:00 minute to play. Down the stretch, the sophomore tandem of Lily Wahinekapu and Daejah Phillips went six-for-six from the free-throw line to hold off the Spartans for the final.
 
On top of Wahinekapu's four clutch free throws in the closing seconds, she notched a game-high 13 points, including her four-four from the line and three-of-four from long distance.
 
The game was a struggle for both teams regarding turnovers and overall shooting. UH finished with a season-high 27 turnovers, compared to SJSU with 23 miscues. On the flip side, the 'Bows narrowly won the rebounding battle with a 35-34 advantage, including a game-high seven by graduate center Kallin Spiller. Both teams shot under 40% from the floor, including the Spartans hitting 29%, marking the first time UH held a team under 30% shooting on the season.
 
UH will take a few days off for the holidays before returning to action to begin Big West play on December 29^th at UC Davis.