A slow start crippled the Hawaii women’s basketball team in an 83-52 loss to Western Athletic Conference leader Fresno State tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Rainbow Wahine trailed by 29 at halftime, then played the Bulldogs evenly in the second half. But FSU hit 14 3-pointers and the Wahine got no closer than 22.

Fresno State (23-4, 11-0 WAC) won its 12th straight game overall and 13th straight against UH (10-16, 5-6).

UH dropped into a tie for fourth place with San Jose State with three WAC games to play.

The Wahine next take on last-place Nevada on Saturday. It is senior night.