Monday, March 19, 2001
UH, BYU The Women's National Invitation Tournament basketball game tonight has all the makings of a turf war ... played out on the hardwood.
clash tonight
The Wahine power game
By Al Chase
matches up against the Cougars'
speed and shooting
Star-BulletinThe University of Hawaii hosts Brigham Young in a second-round game at the Stan Sheriff Center. Both teams depend heavily on playing tough man-to-man defense. That means staking out territory and holding it.
The Wahine did this successfully in their first-round victory over Santa Clara.
However, tonight Hawaii will have to contend with BYU's proficiency from beyond the arc, which means extending the Wahine defense. The Cougars sink 3-pointers almost as easily as they make free throws.
"They have good overall team speed. They defend very well with a physical man defense," UH head coach Vince Goo said.
When: 7 p.m. today WAHINE BASKETBALL
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: Live, KFVE-5
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
"The key for us offensively will be our execution in the half court and keeping our composure."
Hawaii will have a height advantage if Goo starts 5-foot-11 Crystal Lee, 6-4 Christen Roper and 6-5 Dainora Puida across the front line. BYU starts 6-footers Lisa Osguthorpe and Chanell Rose, and 6-1 Caroline Beus.
Expect the Wahine to try to exploit their power game and draw fouls.
The physical aspect of the Cougars' defense will be similar to what the Wahine faced at Tulsa during the regular season.
BYU does use a zone and occasionally a box-and-one, but the man defense is the Cougars' strength. The Cougar defense frustrated Oregon State's Felicia Ragland, the Pac-10 Player of the Year, holding her to 15 points in BYU's first-round victory Friday night in Corvallis.
The Cougars were just as efficient at the other end of the floor against the Beavers, shooting 71 percent from the field in the first half and 61 percent for the game.
"They nailed every open 3-pointer we gave them," said OSU head coach Judy Spoelstra.
The Wahine have stopped hot perimeter shooters during the regular season by denying them the ball.
The Cougars counter by penetrating when guards Erin Thorn and Stacy Jensen don't have an open shot.
"They are good at penetrating and they are good at kicking the ball back to the open player on the perimeter. We're going to need to help a lot on defense," Goo said. "Defense is our key. We thrive off that."
Tonight's winner will play Oklahoma State in the quarterfinal round, either Wednesday or Thursday. Oklahoma State defeated UNLV, 71-67, yesterday.
Note: The first 50 children attending the game will receive a pin commemorating another 20-win season for the Wahine.
Tickets:
Adult $9 Seniors $6 Students 4-18 $5 UH students $5 Parking $3
Starting Lineups
Hawai'i (24-7)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Jana Gabrielova (Jr.) 5-6 8.5 2.9 4.2 G April Atuaia (Fr.) 5-10 6.5 4.6 2.1 F Crystal Lee (Sr.) 5-11 16.3 6.0 2.0 F Dainora Puida (Sr.) 6-4 11.2 8.4 1.1 C Christen Roper (So.) 1-0 5.1 5.8 0.
BYU (19-12)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Erin Thorn (So.) 5-10 15.5 4.5 7.2 G Stacy Jensen (Jr.) 5-6 9.9 2.8 3.5 F Lisa Osguthorpe (Jr.) 6-4 6.1 3.2 2.6 F Chanell Rose (So.) 6-0 6.1 3.2 0.9 C Caroline Beus (Sr.) 6-1 9.0 5.9 1.0 Notes: Hawaii leads the series, 5-4. The teams last met on Feb. 11, 1999, with the Wahine winning 59-55 in their last meeting as WAC conference foes. ... The Cougars advanced to the second round with a 78-63 win at Oregon State on Friday. ... Hawaii advanced via a 73-57 win over Santa Clara Friday in front of a season-high crowd of 2,624 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
