There was plenty to get mad about, from the inconsistent officiating to bloody lips, racial slurs and obscenities being hurled at them as the Wahine headed to the locker room at intermission. After a halftime talk about mental toughness, Hawaii exploded for 40 second-half points in rolling over the Falcons, 71-52.

"It was a very rough game (41 fouls) and we had expected Air Force to be aggressive," said Wahine coach Vince Goo, after notching his 196th career win. "There were lots of elbows being thrown on screens. We came out of there with two cut forearms and two cut lips.

"I think what won it for us was our players got angry. Our volleyball team had told us about the racial slurs and obscenities and we heard them on the way out at halftime."

Hawaii returns to the friendly confines of the Special Events Arena this week with two critical games against the Nos. 3 and 4 teams in the Pacific Division. The Wahine (17-4, 10-1) host Wyoming (15-7, 7-4) on Thursday and Colorado State (18-4, 9-2) Saturday.

Hawaii went to overtime before pulling out the win over the Cowgirls in Laramie last month. Last Thursday, Wyoming edged Colorado State, the only WAC team to beat the Wahine.

"These are two very big games for us," said Goo, whose team is riding a six-game win streak. "Wyoming is playing very well. We were fortunate to get an overtime win at their place.

"The top of our division is very tight and I keep telling our ladies that we can't let any games slip away."

The top two teams in each division earn a first-round bye in next month's WAC Tournament in Las Vegas. Only 1-1/2 games separate the three leaders in the Pacific Division, with Hawaii a half-game behind San Diego State and one game ahead of CSU.

Against Air Force onSaturday, Nani Cockett led all scorers with 17 points, followed by Kendis Leeburg with 15 and Raylene Howard with 13.

The Wahine won the battles of the boards and free-throw line. They outrebounded the Falcons, 42-29, and hit 24 of 32 free throws; Air Force was 12 of 15 from the line.