UH in danger of
hitting a new low
The Rainbow Wahine basketball team hasn't lost four straight games in nearly a decade. Tomorrow, Hawaii is in jeopardy of equaling that mark.
Hawaii plays sixth-ranked Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Rainbow Wahine (5-14, 3-7) have lost three straight and have never beaten the Lady Techsters (17-2, 10-1) in 12 previous meetings.
This isn't exactly the trip for curing what ails Hawaii. The Rainbow Wahine are without senior April Atuaia, who was suspended last week for an infraction of team rules. Atuaia's suspension ended yesterday, but the Rainbow Wahine left Monday night on a red-eye flight to Denver. Hawaii flew to Dallas yesterday and endured a four-hour-plus bus ride to get to Ruston.
About 19 hours after they left Honolulu, the Rainbow Wahine practiced for an hour on the Lady Techsters' home court and got to take in their tradition and championships.
Goo doesn't think his team will be more intimidated by the Lady Techsters than any other opponent.
"All they know is Louisiana Tech is talented and they're very good at home," Goo said. "It's going to be a challenge.
"Offensively, we're going to have to handle the ball against their pressure a lot better than we did the last time. We turned it over much too many times. That's what happens when you're younger and you play more experienced people. You tend to play a little intimidated because of their talent and their experience. Everything is more of a rush on offense and you're not as efficient."
The last time these teams met, the Lady Techsters forced the Rainbow Wahine into a season-high 23 turnovers. Hawaii is better now, but so is Louisiana Tech. Goo knows his team will need to play flawless basketball and catch Louisiana Tech on an off night for a chance at an upset.
"They're tough anywhere, on the road, at home. They're very good," Goo said. "By all indications from the scoring they've had, they've improved a lot like all the other teams.
"The only thing is that they were the best team in November. They improve along with everybody else and right now in February they're still the best team."
The Lady Techsters have won nine straight since losing at Rice in overtime. Their only other loss this season was to third-ranked Tennessee.
Forward Amisha Carter has been on a tear, scoring 20 or more points in the last four games and leading the conference in double-doubles (10), scoring (16.7) and rebounds (10.5). Carter is complemented by Trina Frierson, who also averages 16.7 points a game.
Hawaii leads the WAC in field-goal percentage defense (35.2 percent). The only problem is that the Lady Techsters score more often off their defense.
The Rainbow Wahine have won at least once on their last two road trips. Realistically, Goo expects that to come on Saturday against Southern Methodist.
"Hopefully, we can get a split here. It looks pretty obvious that our best chances would be against SMU," Goo said. "But Thursday's game against LaTech is a game that can boost us. If we give a good performance with a lot of good effort, then that goes a long way."
Notes: Louisiana Tech hasn't lost at home since Jan. 7, 2001 against UConn. This season the Lady Techsters are 9-0 at the Assembly Center. ... The game will be carried live on KKEA 1420-AM. Saturday's game against Southern Methodist will also be broadcast live.
