Rainbow Wahine best 49ers for first Big West win
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii forward Leah Salanoa brought the ball up court ahead of Long Beach State guard Ma’Qhi Berry.
The Hawaii women’s basketball team picked up its first Big West win of the season today at the Stan Sheriff Center, 74-66 over Long Beach State.
UH (8-9, 1-3 BWC) turned to its 3-point shooting for the second straight game after losing at home to UC Irvine by seven on Thursday. The Rainbow Wahine went 9-for-24 from long range, with the Salanoa twins, Lahni and Leah, combining to hit six. Lahni Salanoa tied Megan Tinnin’s single-game record for 3s attempted with 14.
Julissa Tago and Sarah Toeaina led UH in scoring with 15 points apiece, while Kenna Woodfolk added 14 and Lahni Salanoa 11. The Wahine also won the rebounding battle by 20.
Last-place LBSU (2-16, 0-4), last season’s Big West tournament champion, lost its ninth straight game under first-year coach Jeff Cammon.
UH led 39-30 at halftime. Toeaina crossed over an opponent for a driving layup at the end of the third for a 56-45 lead, Hawaii’s largest to that point.
Leah Salanoa hit consecutive 3s to open the final quarter for a 14-point lead.
After a personal foul and unsportsmanlike foul on LBSU with 3:31 left, UH made three of four free throws to go back up 12.
LBSU’s Ma’Qhi Berry converted a three-point play to make it a six-point game with 1:19 to play, but UH beat fullcourt pressure and Woodfolk scored inside at the end of the shot clock.
