Hawaii sophomore Leah Salanoa hit a career-high six 3-pointers and the Rainbow Wahine basketball team broke out of its February slump with a 73-60 win over UC Irvine on Thursday at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif.
Salanoa led UH with 20 points, also a career best, and the Wahine (9-17, 5-9 Big West) snapped a six-game skid while extending their winning streak in the series with UC Irvine (4-23, 2-11) to eight.
UH junior Sarah Toeaina added 14 points on 7-for-10 shooting and posted a team-high seven rebounds and five assists. The Wahine picked up their second road win of the season and first victory overall since Jan. 28.
“Winning helps with confidence and this is a team that needs confidence,” UH coach Laura Beeman said in a phone interview.
UH closes its final road trip of the regular season Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.
The Wahine averaged 51.8 points while shooting 32 percent during their losing streak, but broke out their scoring slump to build a 20-point lead and held off the Anteaters’ fourth-quarter charge.
UH dished out 21 assists on 27 made baskets and ended the game shooting 46.6 percent from the field. The Wahine went 10-for-29 from 3-point range, 9-for-12 from the free-throw line and seven players scored at least six points.
“When we share the ball we’re very good offensively and that’s been our problem so many times,” Beeman said. “Very rarely do we share it and have off shooting nights. It was just a good offensive night for us, we needed it.”
UH also controlled the boards with a 44-25 rebounding advantage and outscored UCI 16-3 on second-chance points.
The Wahine hit seven of their first 10 field-goal attempts, including four of five from 3-point range, to open up a 22-12 lead in the first quarter. Salanoa hit two 3-pointers in the period and the Wahine, who entered the game averaging 8.8 assists per game, had seven in the first 10 minutes.
“(Salanoa’s) shot looks pretty good lately getting her feet underneath her,” Beeman said. “When she’s a catch-and-shoot, she’s very consistent and we were able to find her within the offense on some kickouts.”
UH ended the first half with a 9-0 run capped by Olivia Crawford’s 3-pointer with 11 seconds left and maintained its momentum through the break. Hawaii led 45-25 when Salanoa hit her fourth 3-pointer to tie her previous career high.
The Anteaters chopped the lead to single digits with a 10-2 run early in the fourth quarter and trailed 62-54 with 5:53 left after Irene Chavez scored inside.
But Toeaina hit a jumper, Harris (nine points, three assists) scored on a putback and Toeaina drained another jumper to stretch the lead back to 68-55 and the Wahine remained in control.
Chavez hit four 3-pointers and led UC Irvine with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting overall.
