GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Kim Willoughby had 13 points and seven rebounds Thursday night against UTEP in her first game of the season with the Rainbow Wahine. Hawaii is 1-0 in conference play.
The Rainbow Wahine attempt to start Western Athletic Conference play with a 2-0 record when they take on the Boise State Broncos tonight. UH tries for 2-0
WAC start
Probably starters
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comHawaii fought off a rebuilt Texas-El Paso team that had 11 new players for a WAC-opening victory two nights ago by making adjustments at halftime that worked.
Offensively, the Wahine focused on execution in the second half and had their most productive half of the season, following intermission by scoring 41 points.
"Defensively, we had to be more intense and get right up on our girls (we were defending) to stop their shot," April Atuaia said.
UH coach Vince Goo praised Atuaia's 30-minute effort.
"I thought she really challenged herself coming off her showing during the week that was no fault of hers since she was sick," Goo said.
The effort worked, as the Miners were just 23 percent (7-for-31) from the field in the second half after hitting 57 percent of their field goals in the first half.
GAMEDAY
Hawaii vs. Boise State
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff CenterTV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5) Radio: Live, 1420-AM Tickets: All seats general admission. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 for children (age 4-17) and UH students. Parking: $3
Whatever sloppiness developed from the 11-day holiday break should be history by now -- at least the UH coaches hope that is true.
Boise State (3-8) has lost four consecutive games, but has a new coach in Jen Warden and it may take time to figure out the Broncos' tendencies.
"Boise State is similar to UTEP in that they like to shoot the 3 and they like to run. They can go with four guards," said Goo. "We will play their post people a little different because they are quicker (than UTEP's).
"They play both man and zone on defense. We're not sure which is their primary defense, but we'll find out. It's one or the other."
The Broncos led host San Jose State for the first 38 minutes and by as many as 13 points early in the second half Thursday night before losing to the Spartans 69-64.
Trailing 64-63, San Jose State took advantage of three Boise State turnovers in the final two minutes to score six unanswered points and avert the upset.
Freshmen Jamie Hawkins and Lynnette Grondin each scored 14 points for the Broncos. Juniors Mandy Welch and Camille Woodfield added 11 apiece.
Hawaii should enjoy a height advantage in this game. The key will be for the Wahine to take advantage and score points in the paint the they way did (38) against UTEP.
BACK TO TOP |
Notes: The Wahine lead the series 2-0, with both wins coming last year. ... In the last meeting, March 2, Hawaii triumphed 65-54. ... April Atuaia's three treys against UTEP upped her career total to 48, tying her for ninth place on the all-time list with Kyla Evers. ... It will be a homecoming for Boise State's Jodi Nakashima, a sophomore guard from Roosevelt. ... Hawaii has not had a player score 20 points in a game this season. Probable starters
HAWAII (7-3)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Michelle Gabriel (Sr.) 5-6 6.2 2.5 2.8 G April Atuaia (Jr.) 5-10 10.8 5.3 2.9 F Natasja Allen (Sr.) 6-2 11.2 7.1 1.2 F Jade Abele (Soph.) 5-11 12.2 3.4 3.4 C Christen Roper (Sr.) 6-5 11.6 9.2 0.6
BOISE STATE (3-8 )
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G Abby Vaughn (Sr.) 5-6 10.2 2.0 1.5 G Lynette Grondin (Fr.) 5-7 6.8 2.9 3.5 F Mandy Welch (Jr.) 5-10 11.5 2.6 0.5 F Camile Woodfield (Jr.) 5-11 5.5 7.1 2.1 C Jamie Hawkins (Fr.) 6-1 9.7 4.5 0.6
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