Saturday, January 5, 2002
[ WAHINE BASKETBALL ]
The Hawaii Wahine basketball team wants to prevent a repeat of last year's Western Athletic Conference home opener against San Jose State. Wahine remember
scrappy San JoseBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe unheralded Spartans came into the Stan Sheriff Center and upset the Wahine, 74-72, ending an 11-game losing streak to Hawaii. The UH coaches feel that loss kept the Wahine from receiving an NCAA Tournament at-large berth.
It was a signal that SJSU coach Janice Richard's house cleaning after her first season coaching the Spartans was beginning to pay dividends. Now in her third season, Richard brings the Spartans to town with a 2-0 WAC record and a 7-4 overall mark.
The returning Wahine players haven't forgotten and one can bet the Hawaii coaches have reminded everyone each day at practice this week.
The dynamic guard duo of Cricket Williams and Atari Parker once again spark the SJSU offense, averaging 17.2 and 14.1 points per game. However, they are not a two-player show. Forward Elea A'Giza, the most recent women's WAC Player of the Week, is averaging over 20 points a game in conference play and 13.4 overall. Center Teoma Taylor and forward MiaTonya Smith don't score a lot but are effective rebounders.
The Spartans won't catch the Wahine by surprise like they did a year ago. Most of SJSU's key players are back from a team that won 13 games last year, the most since 1993-94. They are on track to pass that plateau this season.
When: Today, 7 p.m. GAMEDAY
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: Live, KFVE-TV (Channel 5)
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.com
Tickets: All seats general admission. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 for children (age 4-17) and UH students.
Parking: $3
"Watching them on film, it seems like that play a lot more disciplined basketball this year," said Hawaii coach Vince Goo. "This year they make you play defense a little longer. Last year they were no pass, one pass and shoot."
Defense is a Wahine strong point. They are No. 1 in the WAC in points allowed (59.1), field goal percentage allowed (.337) and defensive rebounding (34.0 per game). Defense could be the difference since the teams average 69 points a game on offense.
Hawaii's offense will have to contend with multiple defenses put up by the Spartans, who are known for their quickness and ability to steal the ball. They average nine swipes a game, fourth best in the WAC. UH's turnover margin is a negative 4.6 per game, second worst in the 10-team league.
The Wahine will find out early how much success they can generate with their inside power game. Knocking down those shots helps hold the Spartans transition game in check. If there are problems inside, Hawaii has to find the range from the perimeter. The Wahine have a better percentage from beyond the arc (.333) than San Jose State (.271).
This is just the second game in 17 days for the Wahine due to the postponement of the game at Texas-El Paso.
"It's a lot better if you get your two games in per week," said Goo.
The teams have one common opponent. UH beat Boise State, 61-48. Two days later, SJSU defeated the Broncos, 85-74 in overtime.
PROBABLE STARTERS
HAWAII (8-2, 1-0)
Pts. Avg. Reb. G Janka Gabrielova (Sr.) 97 9.7 24 G April Atuaia (Soph.) 95 9.5 84 F Natasja Allen (Jr.) 154 15.4 65 F Karena Greeny (Sr.) 78 7.8 57 C Christen Roper (Jr.) 128 12.8 80 SAN JOSE STATE (7-4, 2-0)
Pts. Avg. Reb.
G Cricket Williams (Soph.) 172 17.2 33 G Atari Parker (Grad.) 155 14.1 63 F Elea A'Giza (Sr.) 147 13.4 69 F MiaTonya Smith (Sr.) 33 3.0 45 C Teoma Taylor (Soph.) 56 5.1 46 Notes: The Wahine lead the series 29-5. ... In the last meeting, UH defeated the Spartans 91-61 in San Jose, Feb. 23, 2001. ... The Hawaii at Texas-El Paso game postponed by a winter storm last weekend has been rescheduled for Feb. 4. ... SJSU's Elea A'Giza was the WAC Player of the Week last week.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
