[ WAHINE BASKETBALL ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Pam Tabini battled against the Chinese national team's Hu Xiaotao, right, during last night's game.
Chinese national
team edges Wahine
The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine stayed right with China's national team before losing 80-74 in an exhibition basketball game played last night before 638 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH coach Vince Goo was very encouraged with the result. He rotated two lineups throughout the game. The Rainbow Wahine held a slim lead in the second half until Sui Feifei, who grabbed a rebound and went the length of the court to finish the fast break with a layup and give China a 73-72 lead. Sui would seal the victory with a 3-pointer and another layup off a steal in the final minute.
"Overall I thought it was a very inspiring game because everyone contributed and I think we have a hopeful future because of tonight," said UH junior point guard Milia Macfarlane. "Their half-court trap didn't bother us too much, but they closed up the passing lanes near half court and in the middle."
China jumped to a 7-2 lead on a fall-away jumper by Chen Luyun, Hu Xiaotao's layup off a steal and Miao Lijie's basket from beyond the international 3-point line being used on an experimental basis.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Brittney Aiwohi went to the hoop last night at the Stan Sheriff Center against Zhang Fan of the Chinese national team. China beat Hawaii 80-74.
The Wahine responded with a 6-0 run on a baseline drive by April Atuaia, Macfarlane's 18-footer from the right corner and Pam Tambini's short jumper. That gave UH its only lead (8-7) of the first half.
Wang Ling put China back in front with a putback followed by two buckets from Chen on a fast break and another fall-away jumper.
The Chinese maintained a four- to six-point lead with a number of quick transition baskets and the ability to find the open shooter, especially in the left corner.
"We lost focus and had mental breakdowns and didn't have our safety back," Goo said. "We knew we would have physical mistakes and we wanted to limit the mental errors. One of the glaring things we didn't do is get back on defense."
Hawaii closed to within three points (27-24) with 6:07 to play on Dalia Solia's basket and trailed at the half 42-36 when Amber Lee hit a last-second layup off a feed from Atuaia.
Miao, China's point guard and one of three visitors with 15 points, said, "They were pretty good. They have the characteristics of American teams. They work very hard, they're very strong and they play good defense.
"They weren't playing so well in the first half. They weren't very organized, but they got better in the second half."
Hawaii moved the ball better in the second half, resulting in good looks. Atuaia benefited by hitting three consecutive shots from behind the arc. Janevia Taylor's free throw gave UH a 65-64 lead with 6:49 to go. The biggest UH advantage came two minutes later on Solia's layup (69-66).
"We played very hard and competed against a very good team. We wanted to show them respect, but we had no fear," Goo said. "I don't think we'll play a better team this year, at least I hope not. They are tremendous athletes and they play in balance with every player in control."
"I think we did a pretty good job, especially with half the team never having played a D-I game before," Atuaia said.
China 80, Hawaii 74
CHINA: Song 2-5 0-0 4, Lu 0-1 0-0 0, Miao 6-15 1-2 15, Zhang 4-7 1-2 9, Sui 7-10 0-0 15, Ye 0-0 0-0 0, Chen 4-6 2-2 10, Hu 3-6 0-0 6, Wang 7-13 1-1 15, Zhang 3-4 0-0 6. Totals 36-67 5-7 80.HAWAII: Taylor 2-4 4-6 8, Abele 2-5 3-5 7, Sanders 0-4 1-2 1, Solia 3-5 0-1 6, Crouch 1-2 1-3 3, Macfarlane 2-4 3-4 7, Atuaia 5-9 2-2 15, Spooner 0-0 0-0 0, Tambini 4-5 1-2 9, Aiwohi 2-3 0-0 4, Lee 3-4 0-0 6, Grice 2-6 4-4 8. Totals 26-51 19-29 74.
Halftime--China 42-36. 3-Point goals--China 3-16 (Miao 2-9, Sui 1-1, Chen 0-1, Hu 0-1, Lu 0-1, Song 0-3), Hawaii 3-11 (Atuaia 3-6, Aiwohi 0-1, Abele 0-2, Macfarlane 0-2). Fouled out--Zhang. Rebounds--China 28 (Wang 8), Hawaii 35 (Grice 8). Assists--China 22 (Miao 5), Hawaii 12 (Abele, Atuaia 3). Total fouls--China 25, Hawaii 7.
