Wahine basketball team falls in WNIT first round
The Hawaii women’s basketball team bowed out in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for the second straight season with a 67-50 loss at Washington on Friday.
UH concluded its season at 17-14 overall. The Rainbow Wahine finished 1-4 against Pac-12 opposition, including 0-4 on the mainland.
The Wahine dominated the rebounding battle 59-48, but were unable to hang with the Huskies (18-13) offensively. UH shot 26.6 percent from the field, 13.3 percent on 3-pointers and 56 percent at the free-throw line, while dishing just four assists against 21 turnovers.
A whopping 24 offensive rebounds by the ‘Bows were not enough to offset the offensive futility.
UW extended its nine-point halftime lead to as many as 21 late. The Husky backcourt of Kelsey Plum (24 points) and Jazmine Davis (22 points) did the bulk of the damage.
Sophomore Destiny King led UH with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting, while senior forward Kamilah Jackson finished her impressive career with a 10-point, eight-rebound night off the bench.
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But senior co-captain Shawna Kuehu, who is hopeful for another season of eligibility, scored just two points in defeat.
It was definitely the final career game for Jackson, guard Sydney Haydel, forward Diane Moore and center Pua Kailiawa.
Both teams started slow. After King hit a floater to get UH within 31-25, UW closed the period with a 3-pointer to take a nine-point lead at halftime.
UH shot 29.6 percent and committed 12 turnovers in the first period.