Wahine hoops tops Riverside to snap three-game slide
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii guard Courtney Middap fought for position with UC Riverside guard Jannon Otto during the first half.
The Hawaii women’s basketball team snapped a three-game Big West losing streak by topping UC Riverside 63-57 tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH (9-12, 2-6 BWC) remained in eighth place at the midpoint of the conference schedule.
Wahine guard Sarah Toeaina, who eclipsed 1,000 career points in a loss to Cal State Northridge on Thursday, scored 19, bringing her to 1,027. She moved past Tondi Redden for 19th on the program scoring chart.
Point guard Tia Kanoa contributed nine points and seven assists.
Riverside (6-16, 3-5) beat Hawaii by 22 in Riverside last week. However, the Highlanders’ leading scorer, guard Michelle Curry, was sidelined for the rematch. Guard Lauren Holt led UCR with 22 points.
UH gave up a three-point play in the final seconds of the second quarter and trailed 31-29 at intermission. But the Wahine seized control in the third behind the hustle plays of guard Rachel Odumu, outscoring the Highlanders 21-9 in the period to take a 50-40 lead into the fourth.
UCR crept within 55-51 with under two minutes left. Toeaina made a free throw, Lahni Salanoa forced a turnover and Kenna Woodfolk drove inside for a basket.
The Highlanders cut it to three with 15 seconds left, but Kanoa hit a free throw and UCR was way off on a 3.
