Veterans, newcomers spark Wahine

Welcome back, indeed.

Back in the Stan Sheriff Center for the first time in 20 days, the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team got contributions from familiar sources as well as two players just returning to the court in a 78-66 win over Portland State on Sunday.

The Rainbow Wahine were led by season-best performances from forward Kamilah Jackson and shooting guard Kanisha Bello, while sophomore forward Vicky Tagalicod and freshman center Kalei Adolpho provided a spark in their collegiate basketball debuts as UH (3-7) opened the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Shootout with its second straight win.

"It’s been a long time since we’ve actually played a game," Jackson said, referring to a 15-day break since UH’s win at Columbia. "So to get back in the arena and see the support was great."

Jackson paced the Wahine with a game-high 22 points and 19 rebounds, both season highs. Bello hit two 3-pointers on her way to 15 points.

Tagalicod played in her first official game since her junior year at Hilo High School in 2008 and hit four of her first five shots in an 11-point performance. Adolpho added six points and eight rebounds in her first basketball game after completing her freshman season with the UH volleyball team.

Since the end of her high school career, Tagalicod battled back from two knee injuries, then sat out last spring and the fall semester after transferring from USC. She was cleared to play on Saturday, was given the start on Sunday and had nine points in the game’s first 9 minutes.

"To be honest, the past three days, I’ve been nervous," Tagalicod said. "It took me a couple times up and down the court to get the jitters out. … After I started scoring, I started to feel the game; that’s when I just let the game come to me."

Jackson again generated offense inside and from the free-throw line in her fifth double-double of the season. She repeatedly drew contact on drives from the high post and went 12-for-17 from the line. As a team, the Wahine made 25 of 37 free throws, while Portland State went 11-for-13.

"It’s nice to see her expand her game to be a scoring threat out on the perimeter," UH head coach Dana Takahara-Dias said. "She’s creating all kind of offense for us, if it’s on the free-throw line or that easy putback. She was a solid force for us."

The Wahine, who shot a season-high 50 percent from the field, led 42-37 at halftime and went on an 11-point run to open up a 65-49 cushion. But Portland State responded with a 14-2 spurt to close to within four with 5 minutes left.

UH scored the next six points, reclaiming a double-digit lead when point guard Alissa Campanero hit a 3-pointer from the left side with 3:37 left.

Takahara-Dias said answering Portland State’s comeback showed "we really have matured and that was good to see."

"I’m so happy the team was able to overcome that because that’s part of becoming a better team," she said.

Eryn Jones led three Portland State players in double figures with 18 points. The Vikings shot 25-for-85 from the field, their attempt total boosted by 23 offensive rebounds. But UH still controlled the boards 55-39.

The tournament continues today with the Wahine facing Denver (8-4) at 7 p.m. Portland State plays UC Davis (7-3) at 5.

UC Davis defeated Denver 60-51 in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader. UC Davis forward Kasey Riecks scored 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting for the Aggies. Forward Kaetlyn Murdoch led Denver with 17 points.