Another winnable game, another early-season loss for the Hawaii women’s basketball team.

The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 0-3 for the first time since 2008-09 — Jim Bolla’s final season as coach — with a 58-50 loss at San Diego on Sunday afternoon.

Seventh-year coach Laura Beeman noticed immediately a different energy than from her team’s two one-point losses to begin the season.

“Right from the jump,” she said in a postgame phone interview from USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion. “We had a couple players that just weren’t bringing any energy and their game did not come easy for them, and so they didn’t do the little things on both sides of the ball. When you’re struggling offensively, you absolutely have to do things defensively.”

UH briefly captured leads in the first and third quarters, then fell behind by eight with 4:19 to play. But point guard Tia Kanoa hit consecutive 3s and Julissa Tago got fouled with a chance to tie it up with 1:26 left. The junior guard missed both foul shots, though, and the Wahine did not score in the final 2:20 as they also missed three shots and had a turnover.

Leah Salanoa led the Wahine with 11 points and four rebounds. Myrrah Joseph and Kanoa scored eight apiece, while Kanoa also dished eight assists.

USD (1-1) dominated the backboards 38-24, with the Wahine playing a decidedly smaller lineup than the Toreros. Sophomore center Lauren Rewers, who appeared to hurt a knee in Friday’s 58-57 loss at San Diego State, did not play Sunday. UH’s other primary post player, Kenna Woodfolk, struggled to two points and four fouls in 19 minutes.

Beeman chalked up USD’s rebounding advantage to her team’s lack of effort more than a height disadvantage.

“Guards can put bodies on people and pursue balls just like post players can,” Beeman said.

Patricia Brossman led USD with 12 points and six rebounds.

UH returns home against Portland (1-0) on Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center.