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A year after losing an overtime game to Colorado State, the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team returned the favor on Friday with a 63-58 season-opening road win in Fort Collins, Colo.
Shawna-Lei Kuehu’s jumper with 2:12 left in overtime gave the Rainbow Wahine a 56-54 lead and UH held off the Rams from there to open Laura Beeman’s third season as UH head coach with a win over CSU, the preseason favorite to win the Mountain West Conference.
Destiny King led three UH players in double figures with 14 points, including two free throws with 11 seconds left in overtime to put the game out of reach.
Kuehu finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds despite foul trouble. Ashleigh Karaitiana also scored 12 points and grabbed a key offensive rebound to set up King’s clinching free throws.
Morgan Mason posted eight points and 10 rebounds. Her 3-pointer to beat the shot clock gave UH a four-point cushion with 1:09 left in overtime.
CSU guard AJ Newton hit four 3 pointers and led the Rams with 16 points.
The Rainbow Wahine continue their season-opening road trip with a game at Denver on Sunday.
