Hawaii women show speed against HPU

The Hawaii women’s basketball team was quick to exhibit some new things at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday night.

They came in old and new forms for the suddenly swift Rainbow Wahine, who were off and running in an 88-59 exhibition win over Division II Hawaii Pacific.

Returning guard Sydney Haydel and freshman point guard Alissa Campanero each scored 18 points, contributing mightily to a newfound sense of speed not seen in last season’s 11-19 campaign.

It was an overall positive first impression of the 2011-12 Rainbow Wahine for the turnstile crowd of 801, though the result didn’t count in any official sense.

"Tonight we came out really strong. We’ve been preparing all preseason for this game and for this season," said Haydel, who averaged 2.5 points as a freshman. "Last year was a completely different year for me."

That old nemesis from seasons past, turnovers, showed up in the first half 13 times.

But once some kinks in their new motion offense were ironed out, the Wahine settled down by the second half and finished with only 17 giveaways.

UH ran the floor at every opportunity, leading to 57.1 percent shooting from the floor, including 61.5 percent (8-for-13) on 3-pointers, and 88.9 percent at the free-throw line. HPU was held to 33.8 percent on field goals.

Third-year coach Dana Takahara-Dias started Campanero, shooting guard Kanisha Bello, wing Shawna Kuehu and forwards Breanna Arbuckle and Kamilah Jackson.

Once she checked in, Haydel put up 16 points in the first half on 4-for-6 shooting from the field and 7-for-7 at the foul line. Campanero was nearly perfect, making all of her six shots, including four from deep.

"I’d say that was pretty good," Campanero said with a laugh. "We were able to get a lot of open shots."

Jackson added 14 points and eight rebounds; Kuehu had nine points, nine rebounds and five assists; and Bello also did well with 11 points.

New HPU coach Reid Takatsuka had his hands full in his first game since Jeff Harada joined Navy’s staff following an 18-7 season. Kathryn Tolbert led the Sea Warriors with 17 points.

"HPU is a very good team that knows how to win," Takahara-Dias said. "Tonight was a great starting point for us."

Wahine newcomers Malia Cravens (arm injury) and Ashleigh Karaitiana (NCAA clearance issues) did not suit up.

USC transfer Vicky Tagalicod also sat out; she won’t be eligible until December.

UH hosts Brigham Young-Hawaii in a second exhibition on Friday. The regular season begins against a third straight Division II opponent, Hawaii-Hilo, on Nov. 11 at the Stan Sheriff Center.