Wahine lose close one

The Hawaii women's basketball team fell to Northern Arizona 61-58 yesterday in the first day of the Arizona State Tournament at the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz.

Sophomore Keisha Kanekoa paced the Rainbow Wahine (1-7) with a game-high 19 points and added seven rebounds and four assists. Dita Liepkalne had 10 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

The Lumberjacks (2-6) had three players in double figures, led by Janelle Matthews' 12 points. Northern Arizona scored the game's final five points to earn the win.

Hawaii will play UC-Irvine today in the tournament's consolation match. The Anteaters fell to Arizona State 75-23 yesterday.

Vercruyssen advances to finals

Sixteen-year-old Honolulu trampoline gymnast Nani Vercruyssen posted the second-best U.S. score and placed fourth overall in the preliminaries of the 2008 Pan-American Championships Friday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Vercruyssen, who is a member of Hawaii Academy, is one of 16 men and women to advance to the individual finals, which will take place today.

Wily scores 25 in defeat

Brigham Young-Hawaii's Latoya Wily scored a game-high 25 points on 8-for-11 shooting in a 71-51 defeat of Division I Wright State yesterday in the second and final day of the Hukilau Invitational in Laie.

The Raiders (3-4) outscored the Seasiders (2-4) 42-23 in the second half, shooting 60 percent from the field. Erica Richardson led Wright State with 14 points.

BYU-Hawaii will play Missouri-Saint Louis next in the Hoop and Surf Tournament on December 17.