Wahine basketball team off to worst start in decade
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii head coach Laura Beeman during a Rainbow Wahine game in Hilo on Nov. 1. The Wahine basketball team fell today in San Diego to 0-3.
Another winnable game resulted in another early-season loss for the Hawaii women’s basketball team.
The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 0-3 for the first time since 2008-09 — Jim Bolla’s final season as coach — with a 58-50 loss at San Diego this afternoon.
Laura Beeman’s team briefly captured leads in the first and third quarters at Jenny Craig Pavilion, then fell behind by eight with 4:19 to play. But point guard Tia Kanoa hit consecutive 3s and Julissa Tago got fouled with a chance to tie it up with 1:26 left. The junior guard missed both foul shots, though, and the Wahine would not score again.
Leah Salanoa led the Wahine with 11 points and four rebounds. Kanoa and Joseph scored eight apiece, while Kanoa also dished eight assists.
USD (1-1) dominated the backboards 38-24 with the Wahine playing a decidedly smaller lineup than the Toreros. Sophomore center Lauren Rewers, who appeared to hurt a knee in Friday’s 58-57 loss at San Diego State, did not play today.
Patricia Brossman led USD with 12 points and six rebounds.
UH, which lost by one at home to Pepperdine in its season opener, resumes play at home against Portland (1-0) on Friday.
