Hawaii gets a taste of different styles

Three opponents, three different looks.

It is what Hawaii is expecting to see on both sides of the Stan Sheriff Center court in this week’s Rainbow Wahine Showdown. Marist, Purdue and USC present different challenges for Hawaii, with the Wahine’s goal being to counter with different looks of their own each night.

It will be about adjusting from Marist and the Red Foxes’ off-ball, inside-outside game today to Purdue’s Big Ten-big team’s athleticism on Saturday to USC’s veteran leadership and inside presence on Sunday.

Hawaii’s hope is to repeat last week’s effort, winning the Bank of Hawaii Classic when the Wahine were able to handle the transition game and predominately 3-point shooting of Northern Arizona to the deny-touches-in-the-paint balance of San Diego.

“I’ve seen major growth on both sides of the ball,” Hawaii coach Laura Beeman said of her team’s efforts over four games. “It was nice to see that, fairly early, we were able to take on two very different teams and be able to do A one night and B the next night fairly well.

“As bad as we’re playing on both sides of the ball at times we’ve still had major growth. And that’s what we’re looking to continue to do this week. It’s a tough tournament, but not as daunting as some we’ve had in the past. Neither (Purdue or USC) are Top 25 right now, but they could be later in the season. Are we outmatched? Of course. What we have to do is have great scouts (scouting reports) and play how we can.”

One key will be to continue the high assist ratio while cutting down on the turnovers. In the 64-63 overtime win over San Diego, Hawaii had a good thing — 15 assists on 26 field goals — and a bad one — 18 turnovers.

The great thing was the Wahine had just four turnovers after the third quarter, none in OT. Hawaii also was 4-for-6 from the free-throw line in the extra period. The Wahine were 2-for-3 after four quarters. USD finished 13-for-14 with no attempts in OT.

“We need to figure out a way to get to the line more,” Beeman said. “That means doing a better job at being more physical, being more aggressive, learn how to draw the foul.

“For us to be successful this week, it’s not going to be just one individual we rely on. We’re going to have to have good games from several people to be successful.”

One of those who will be counted on is redshirt junior guard Rachel Odumu, whose value against San Diego on Sunday did not show up in the box score but rather in the deny-defense when Hawaii switched from man to zone and back to man defense.

After sitting out a year following her transfer from Monmouth, she continues to get back into playing mode against real competition.

“This is going to be a tough tournament with really good teams,” Odumu said. “We need to focus on doing the little things, the little details like screen coverage. We need to play our best basketball.”

Odumu played 18 minutes against the Toreros on Sunday with one basket, one rebound, one assist and one turnover. That wasn’t the consistency she wants.

“I’m definitely working on my offensive game,” she said. “After sitting out a year, it’s taken some time to adjust to going against someone other than my teammates.

“What I love is playing defense, love to grind. If that’s what it takes to win a championship at this level, that’s what I’m going to do, what I need to do for my team.”

Hawaii floats between 2-3 zone and man defenses, in part to keep opponents guessing, Beeman said. Odumu said she favors man.

“I like to lock down my offender,” said Odumu, who has played for her native England’s national team. “Man (defense) shows that either you got it or you don’t.”

A look at the field:

Hawaii (3-1)

The Wahine have won three straight after their season-opening 76-47 loss at Portland, capturing the Bank of Hawaii Classic title with a 64-63 overtime victory against San Diego. Senior guard Sarah Toeaina (18 ppg, 5 rpg), hit the game-winning free throws with 3.5 seconds left in OT and earned MVP honors as well as Big West weekly honors Monday.

Joining her on the all-tournament team was sophomore forward Makenna Woodfolk, who had her second double-double of the season against the Toreros (20 points, 10 rebounds). Junior point Tia Kanoa is averaging 7.3 assists.

Hawaii’s winning streak began with a 73-58 win at Seattle, followed by Friday’s BOH victory over Northern Arizona 84-68.

Coach Laura Beeman is in her sixth season (93-67).

Marist (1-2)

The Red Foxes are coming off a 78-72 loss at Northeastern on Sunday, the first of five road games that have the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., school traveling from Massachusetts to Hawaii, then to New Jersey (Seton Hall) in an 11-day span. Marist split its opening home contests, falling to Navy 77-70 and defeating Holy Cross 85-74.

The Red Foxes feature twin sisters Rebekah and Hannah Hand, sophomore guards who are 1-2 in scoring, Rebekah at 18.0 ppg and Hannah 11.0 ppg.

Brian Giorgis is in his 16th season (357-134) as coach, with 10 NCAA tournament appearances.

Purdue (3-1)

The Boilermakers saw their three-game winning streak snapped at Utah on Monday, the same day they received three points in the Associated Press poll.

Purdue opened with a 79-69 win at Central Michigan and won both at home last week, 75-66 against Miami (Ohio) and 79-64 vs. Lamar.

Sophomore forward Ae’Rianna Harris (14.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg), one of four Boilermakers in double-digit scoring, is shooting 54.3 percent from the field. Her high school teammate is sophomore guard Lamina Cooper (11.0 ppg). Purdue has a second set of high school teammates in Canadian freshman guards Leony Boudreau and Tamara Farquhar.

Former Boilermakers point guard Sharon Versyp is in her 12th season (240-134) as coach and has been inducted into the Indiana and New England basketball halls of fame.

USC (4-0)

The Women of Troy picked up four points in Monday’s AP poll as well as a 75-60 win at home over Long Beach State. USC opened with a home victory over Montana State, then went on the road for two, defeating UC Riverside 64-46 and Santa Clara 64-43.

The Women of Troy are outscoring opponents by a 23.8-point average with a plus-10 rebounding margin. Senior forward Kristen Simon leads the way at 17.8 ppg and senior guard Sadie Edwards (16.8 ppg) is shooting 61.5 percent from the floor.

Mark Trakh is in the first year of his second stint as USC’s coach, his other being 2005-09 (94-64).