Former HPU basketball star dies

John Strickland, an All-America basketball player for Hawaii Pacific who helped lead the Sea Warriors to the 1993 NAIA championship, died of a heart attack Thursday at his New York home. He was 38.

Strickland holds the HPU single-season records in points, field goals and rebounds. He was twice named an NAIA All-American.

"John was one of the best players I’ve ever coached," said former HPU coach Tony Sellitto, who coached Strickland for three seasons. "Not only that, he was a great personality, good student, and an active part of student life at HPU."

Strickland spent 15 years in professional ball, playing in several minor and overseas leagues. At the time of his death, he was the Director of Player Development for the Halifax Rainmen of Canada’s Premier Basketball League.

Rainbow Wahine earn tie in soccer

The Hawaii women’s soccer team came back to earn a 1-1 tie at San Jose State in Western Athletic Conference action last night.

Junior defender Brittani Lum scored her first career goal from 20 yards out in the 64th minute to even things up after the Spartans (6-5-1, 1-0-1 WAC) scored in the 24th minute.

The Rainbow Wahine (2-10-2, 0-2-1) held on for the draw in double overtime despite being outshot 25-9. UH tied its single-season record by going winless in nine straight games.

The Wahine next play at Fresno State at 10 tomorrow morning.

Richards joins Wahine hoops staff

Hawaii women’s basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias completed her staff for this season with the hiring of assistant coach Margot Richards.

The Rainbow Wahine start official practices tomorrow — five days ahead of the UH men — because of a new NCAA rule that allows women’s teams to start 40 days before their first game.

Richards has spent the past two seasons as the top assistant at Seattle University. The Redhawks were 20-9 last season, their best record in 30 years.

Richards played at Cal Poly Pomona, helping the Broncos to consecutive NCAA Division II titles in 2002 and ’03. She replaces Serenda Valdez.

HPU outlasts Dixie State

Natasha Bell put down 18 kills and Kelly Balanay and Recca Sanoe each had 14 as Hawaii Pacific rallied past Dixie State 25-18, 16-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-8 last night in St. George, Utah, to take over first place in PacWest volleyball.

Bell added 22 digs and Kea Pihana had 23 digs and 42 assists for the Sea Warriors (11-2, 5-1) against the Red Storm (7-7, 2-4).

» At San Francisco, Losaline Faka’osi had 16 kills and 13 digs, and Courtney Skaggs hit .700 with eight blocks to lead Brigham Young-Hawaii over Academy of Art 25-22, 25-15, 13-25, 25-18.

Nobuko Kotoyori had a match-high 21 digs for the Seasiders (6-5, 3-1). The Urban Knights fell to 9-7 and 5-2.

» At San Rafael, Calif., Hillary Hurley had 14 kills and Leilani Ramsey added a double-double (13 kills-12 digs) to lead Hawaii-Hilo past Dominican 25-11, 25-12, 25-10.

The Vulcans (8-3, 3-1) and Penguins (2-14, 0-5) meet again tonight.

» At Phoenix, Grand Canyon handed Chaminade its fourth straight loss, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16.

Crystal Powell had 11 kills for the Silverswords (3-8, 0-4) against the Antelopes (8-10, 4-3)

Sea Warriors fall in 2OTs

Andy Wolverton scored on a penalty kick with 10 seconds left in the second overtime to lift Seattle Pacific (4-5-2) over Hawaii Pacific (7-3) 1-0 in a nonconference men’s soccer match in Seattle last night.