PORTLAND, Ore. — The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team posted its first win of the 2024-25 season with a 72-50 victory over Portland State on Saturday in Portland, Ore.
The Rainbow Wahine (1-1) allowed 20 points in the first quarter then outscored the Vikings to 47-20 over the next 25 minutes on their way to earning a split of their season-opening road trip to the Pacific Northwest.
MeiLani McBee hit two 3-pointers and led three UH players in double figures with 12 points off the bench.
Daejah Phillips went 4 for 6 from the field, also draining two from behind the arc, to finish with 11 points and freshman
Ritorya Tamilo added 10 points in her first collegiate start.
Jovi Lefotu hit her first three shots and came up with two steals to spark the 'Bows early on and finished with nine points. Senior guard
Mia 'Uhila, who played three seasons at Portland State, made her first UH start and led the 'Bows with six rebounds in her return to Viking Pavilion.
In all, 13 UH players saw game action and 11 scored while playing at least 13 minutes.
Both teams got out to hot starts with UH going 9 for 12 from the field in the first quarter while Portland State went 7 for 14 and led 20-19 after the opening 10 minutes.
UH then held the Vikings to three field goals over the second and third quarters while draining seven 3-pointers in that stretch to take command. The 'Bows took a 33-26 lead into halftime and outscored the Vikings 24-9 in the third and led by as many as 26 on their way to the program's third straight win in the all-time series with Portland State.
Coming off a season-opening loss at Portland on Thursday, the Rainbow Wahine jumped out to an early lead and went up 15-10 on McBee's first 3-pointer. Portland State answered with an 8-0 run to move ahead as UH committed eight turnovers in the opening period.
Lefotu hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter to give UH the lead back at 22-21 and the 'Bows didn't trail for the remainder of the game. Phillips' hit a 3-pointer that broke a 24-24 tie and
Jade Peacock connected from long range to send UH into the locker room with a seven-point cushion.
Phillips opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer and the UH defense held the Vikings scoreless for the first 4:27 of the second half while extending the lead to 14. The 'Bows led 57-35 going into the fourth quarter and maintained control through the final buzzer.
The Rainbow Wahine will make their home debut on Nov. 22 in a matchup with Louisiana-Monroe in the Bank of Hawai'i Classic at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. UH will also face Eastern Washington on Nov. 24 in the tournament to open the home schedule.
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