Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Lines drawn for The University of Hawaii and Oklahoma State women's basketball teams have one thing in common -- the Wahine and Cowgirls both go to the free-throw line more than their opponents.
UH-OSU battle
Wahine, Cowgirls have
a tendency to shoot
many foul shotsBy Al Chase
Star-Bulletin"Somebody is not going to get there more than the other," said OSU head coach Dick Halterman as his team prepared for tonight's quarterfinal against Hawaii in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.
"We just can't put them on the line because they are such a good free throw shooting team (76 percent).
"Our team goal is to never put our opponent in the 1-and-1 situation. We guard. We defend. We want to make our opponents take tough shots, but we don't want to foul."
When: 7 p.m. today WAHINE BASKETBALL
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: None
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
Tickets:
Adult $9 Seniors $6 Students 4-18 $5 UH students $5 Parking $3
OSU has gone to the line 678 times, converting 463 (69 percent). Opponents are 347 of 515.
Hawaii is 619-of-814 from the line. UH's opponents are 278-of -431.
There is no question that defense also is the key for the Wahine in tonight's game at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"It's been the same for 33 games now," said UH head coach Vince Goo.
"I thought we did a good job holding Brigham Young to 37 percent from the field."
Oklahoma State is a young team, starting two sophomores, two juniors and 6-foot-2 freshman center Trisha Skibbe, the only starter over six feet.
"They have a lot of people who can score, are very athletic and have good team speed," Goo said. "They like to run, will pressure you in the half court with their man defense and get excellent help on defense on the weak side."
The Wahine need to use their height advantage to control the boards, a major concern for Halterman. Hawaii was outrebounded by BYU, but many of those rebounds were long off 3-point misses.
"We're not very big and they do a good job on the boards, not just because they are big, but they attack the boards," Halterman said.
Another factor is the contributions by both benches.
OSU junior reserves Jessica Bates and Jessica Spinner contribute 9.5 and 6.9 points a game, respectively. Halterman rotates nine players with everyone seeing at least 13 minutes of court time per game.
The Wahine have been receiving good production from their bench. In the BYU game, reserve Natasja Allen scored five points in the run at the end of the first half that brought UH to within a point of the Cougars. Michelle Gabriel steadied the offense with her five minutes at point guard.
"In the second half Christa (Brossman) and Karena (Greeny) were in and they really changed the game with their defense," Goo said.
"Christa had a breakaway layup on a fast break and Karena had a good move on the baseline, so they contributed points plus good defense. And it gave Crystal (Lee) and April (Atuaia) a chance to get a good rest on the bench."
If Oklahoma State substitutes frequently, look for the Wahine to do the same.
Tonight's winner will advance to play the winner of tonight's other quarterfinal game between Alabama-Birmingham and host New Mexico.
Starting lineups
Hawaii (25-7)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Jana Gabrielova (Jr.) 5-6 9.0 2.9 4.1 G April Atuaia (Fr.) 5-10 6.4 4.6 2.1 F Crystal Lee (Sr.) 5-11 16.2 5.9 2.1 F Dainora Puida (Sr.) 6-4 11.3 8.5 1.1 C Christen Roper (So.) 6-5 5.4 5.9 0.6
Oklahoma State (16-14)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Chantoya Hawkins (So.) 5-5 8.7 3.8 3.0 G Shelby Hutchens (So.) 5-10 7.1 3.3 2.9 F Terrisha Osborn (Jr.) 5-10 2.9 2.3 1.4 F Kara Faulk (Jr.) 5-11 12.0 7.9 0.7 C Trisha Skibbe (Fr.) 6-2 7.6 4.7 0.4 Notes: Oklahoma State leads the series, 1-0. The teams last met on Jan. 5, 1986, with the Cowgirls winning, 66-65, in the Rainbow Wahine Classic. ... Oklahoma State advanced with a 71-67 win over visiting Nevada-Las Vegas Sunday. ... UH head coach Vince Goo's career record is 286-123. OSU head coach Dick Halterman's career record is 317-217. ... The Cowgirls return to Hawaii in November to participate in the Wahine Thanksgiving Classic.
UH Athletics
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