Box Score

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i women's basketball team (6-9, 0-2 WAC) lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Louisiana Tech, 74-69. The Rainbow Wahine battled hard, led by Kamilah Jackson's 18 point, 20 rebound performance, but came up just short on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

 

Three Rainbow Wahine scored in double digits with Jackson tallying her eighth double-double of the year. She is now just one double-double shy of tying Judy Mosely's freshman record of nine. Jackson was 7-of-13 from the floor with two assists, a block, and a steal. It was the second time in her young career that Jackson has grabbed at least 20 rebounds for the 'Bows.

Hawai'i got off to a fast start with all five starters--Keisha Kanekoa, Megan Tinnin, Breanna Arbuckle, and Shawna-Lei Kuehu-- scoring early to help build a 22-11 lead, mid-way through the first half. But the Lady Techsters then started to make a comeback, going on a 14-0 run, led by reigning WAC Player of the Week, Adrienne Johnson's eight points. UH's Kanekoa stopped the streak with a pair of free throws with 7:59 left in the half, but eventually LA Tech closed the half on a 25-6 run to take a 35-30 lead into the break. Hawai'i's Arbuckle went 3-for-3 from the floor to lead UH with nine points while Jackson had eight rebounds at the end of the first half.

 

In the second half, the 'Bows came out swinging again, erasing their five point deficit to take the lead on two layups by Jackson, one by Kuehu, two free throws from Kanekoa, and then a jumper by Jackson gave UH a three point lead. But two foul shots made by the Techster's Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey started to turn the tide and shift momentum to the red and blue as LA Tech pushed out to an eight point lead.

 

But Hawai`i did not fold, they chipped away and stayed close, never getting behind more than five points. Then with 1:28 left in the game and UH down 56-61, Kuehu drained a runner down the lane to pull within three points. LA Tech's Johnson misfired on a 3-point attempt and Arbuckle came down with the rebound. Jackson was fouled and sunk both free throws to bring the 'Bows to within one point.

 

Techsters' came down the floor, but Whitney Jones missed her jumper that was partially blocked by Kuehu and Jackson got the handle on the ball with 21 seconds left. After a UH timeout, the 'Bows missed three jumpers, but on the final one, Jackson was fouled and went to the line but made just the second of her two shots to tie the game and force overtime.

 

In overtime, both teams rallied back and fourth. UH tied the game at 67-67 with 2:08 left on the clock on a trey by Julita Bungaite from Kanekoa. But in the end, Louisiana Tech pulled ahead sinking 4-of-4 free throws to seal the win.

 

Hawai'i fought hard on the glass, out-rebounding Louisiana Tech 52-35. UH also outscored LA Tech, 36-28 in the paint and on defense, the 'Bows held the Lady Techsters to 25.9% shooting from the floor in the second half. But Louisiana Tech converted UH's 21 turnovers into costly 22 points.

 

In addition to Jackson, Kanekoa and Kuehu both posted double-digits in points. Kanekoa, who was shackled with foul trouble through most of the game, scored 11 points and was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line with three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Kuehu had 10 points, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

 

For Louisiana Tech, four players were in double-digits, led by Whitney Jone's 18 points. Adrienne Johnson added 15 with a team-high nine rebounds and game-highfour assists. Martina Holloway chipped in 13 points and Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey scored 11 points.

 

Hawai'i now hits the road for five consecutive games, starting with a swing through Idaho. The 'Bows start their second roadtrip of the season in Moscow, Idaho to face the Vandals on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 6:00 pm and then travel to face Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m.

                                                                                                   -UH-