LIHU‘E — Attempting to complete a three-game sweep of the Pepsi Rainbow Wahine Invitational, Hawai‘i came up short in the event finale against UNLV, falling victim to a late Rebel run in a 63-48 loss, Thursday night at the Stan
LIHU‘E — Attempting to complete a three-game sweep of the Pepsi Rainbow Wahine Invitational, Hawai‘i came up short in the event finale against UNLV, falling victim to a late Rebel run in a 63-48 loss, Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Wahine took a 43-42 lead with 8:58 to play in the contest, but UNLV then went on a 21-3 run that included four 3-pointers to gain the victory.
Jamie Smith led the Rebels with 15 points. Ta’Nitra Byrd had 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds for UNLV, which trailed 28-27 at halftime.
A night after having one of the great games in Hawai‘i basketball history, Kamilah Jackson put up eight points and eight rebounds on 2 for 5 shooting. Wednesday night against Cal State Bakersfield, Jackson had 31 points and 25 rebounds.
Keisha Kanokoa led the Wahine with 12 points, while Megan Tinnin and Breanna Arbuckle had 10 apiece.
Hawai‘i shot just 32 percent (16-of-50) from the field and 15 percent (2-of-13) from three-point range.
The Wahine (6-7) will now begin conference play as New Mexico State comes to the Stan Sheriff Center at 5 p.m., Thursday. Louisiana Tech will then be in town on Saturday, Jan. 8 for a 5 p.m. tip.
Warriors vs. Nevada, today at 3 p.m.
The University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball team looks to change its luck in Reno when the ’Bows (9-4, 1-0 WAC) face the Nevada Wolf Pack (3-10, 0-0 WAC) in a Western Athletic Conference contest today. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. PT (3 p.m. HT, ESPNU) at the Lawlor Events Center.
UH is coming off a hard-fought loss at Utah State in its WAC opener on Wednesday night. The Rainbow Warriors took the three-time defending league champions down to the wire, before falling 74-66. UH shot 75 percent in the second half and trailed by just two on five different occasions before succumbing to the Aggies who out-rebounded UH 32-13.
UH will be looking to end a string of dubious streaks when they meet Nevada. The ’Bows will be searching for their first ever win in Reno after losing in all 13 previous trips. UH is also looking to end a 13-game road losing streak. Eleven of those loses have come in WAC regular-season action.
