They clung to the ball like a long-lost friend.

After a 27-day layoff from game action, that shouldn’t come as any surprise. The Rainbow Wahine committed only four turnovers, tying a program record, while forcing 21 in a 52-33 win over LIU Brooklyn on the first night of the Bank of Hawaii Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH also grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to 10 for the Blackbirds of the Northeast Conference. The huge disparity in those two categories added up to 27 more field-goal attempts for the Rainbow Wahine (3-6).

The extra possessions were the deciding factor in an offense-starved game in which both teams shot under 30 percent from the floor.

"It felt good. I mean, our hard work during this long break, practices, I think it was time for us to play some actual opponents instead of beating up on each other in practice," said UH junior wing Vicky Tagalicod, who had seven points, four rebounds and two steals off the bench. "We just needed that game."

Today’s 5 p.m. opponent, Cincinnati (7-4), fell 58-47 to Alabama (8-3) in the tournament opener on Friday.

Laura Beeman’s team finished with a combined advantage of 33-9 in points off turnovers and second-chance points before the Friday night crowd of 514. The four turnovers tied the program low set against Pacific on Feb. 11, 1996 at the Sheriff.

"It just shows what we’re doing in practice is starting to pay off. It also shows we did a better job of putting better lineups on the floor. People knew where people were going to be. Turnovers aren’t always these girls’ fault. Sometimes it’s ours (as coaches). So, I just think we had better consistency on the floor."

Freshman Destiny King started at point guard, while junior off-guard Sydney Haydel and sophomore center Kalei Adolpho made their first starts of the season. Usual starters Kamilah Martin (14 points, seven rebounds) and Ashleigh Karaitiana (nine points, six boards) anchored the starters. Forward Diane Moore added 10 points off the bench.

Because of countless ragged halfcourt possessions on both sides, it wasn’t apparent to the naked eye that UH earned a shot or a free throw on all but four possessions. They had 13 assists and swiped eight steals from the Blackbirds (3-6).

"They were in shock when they found out we only had four turnovers," Beeman said.

A half of almost unwatchable basketball gave way to a flawlessly executed play heading into the locker room.

Coming out of a timeout, Tagalicod went in motion from left to right along the baseline. UH worked the ball around the arc and into to Martin at the right elbow. Martin was the first option, but she was covered and she kicked out to the right corner, where Tagalicod waited for an open 3-point look. She banged it home and the Wahine took a 28-14 lead into the break.

King ran into a hard pick and went out with first-half shoulder injury. She did not return. Beeman said she is questionable for the rest of the tournament.

Cleandra Roberts led the Blackbirds with 10 points.

HAWAII 52, LIU BROOKLYN 33