Wahine finish with devastating defeat
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a flashback from nightmarish postseasons past, New Mexico abruptly ended the University of Hawai'i Wahine's dream season last night, 68-43, in a Women's National Invitation Tournament semifinal.
The Wahine woke up in front of 11,090 joyous Lobo fans, who never had a reason to stop cheering. UNM grabbed this basketball game, and Hawai'i, by the throat two minutes into it and never let go.
For the first time in their wondrous season, the Wahine (26-8) could not bounce back.
"We were just in a sand pit that was too deep," said senior Crystal Lee, who didn't start last year, then helped take this team to a place it had never been before with an all-conference season.
Last night's scene, with the exception of The Pit's amazing ambience, was a sequel to Hawai'i's 1998 WAC Tournament game against UNM. The Wahine, who would go on to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team with All-Americans Nani Cockett and Raylene Howard, were mesmerized by the Lobos in the first half.
Three years ago, the score at halftime was 42-19. Last night, it was 37-17. Three years ago, the Wahine actually cut their deficit to six in the second half, before losing by 14. Last night, the closest they could get was 20.
"I knew it was over after the first seven minutes of the second half," said UNM guard Molly McKinnon. "We kept making shots and they weren't making them. They started going one-on-one, not to their posts. We just broke them down."
Lee said the realization that this would be her last basketball game hit earlier.
"About five minutes into the second half," Lee admitted. "I knew if we were going to come back, we'd have to jump on them coming out of halftime.
"At the end, I was just trying to absorb it all."
The Lobos (21-12) were the only ones jumping on anyone. It has become their WNIT trademark — they are winning games by an average of nearly 20 points — following a mediocre regular season.
"Some teams take longer to get good," UNM coach Don Flanagan said. "This team was dormant for a while."
Now, it will play for the WNIT championship Wednesday, at its beloved home, against the winner of today's James Madison-Ohio State semifinal.
"It doesn't matter who," Lobo forward Chelsea Grear said. "Tell them to come into The Pit. Bring it on."
All the UNM starters scored at least nine points, with center Jordan Adams (17 points) starting the barrage. When Hawai'i collapsed on her, everyone else lit it up. The Lobos hit 55 percent of their shots against a team that had been holding opponents to less than 35 percent. Only three teams in the country had defended better, until last night.
New Mexico became the first team to shoot better than 50 percent against the Wahine, and hold them below 50 points. The Lobos also out-rebounded UH 43-28. Both teams had 17 turnovers.
That was the only part of UNM's game that appeared vulnerable. Until last night, Hawai'i hadn't lost by more than eight this entire season.
But this time, every Hawai'i effort was futile although it kept battling for more.
"Vince said he was proud of us after the game," Lee said. "He said we have the most heart of any team he ever coached."
Lee paused, then added, "Which I think is true."
In case there was any doubt, Goo said it again.
"You don't measure a season by this one last game," he said. "I thought New Mexico played very well at both ends. They deserved to win.
"I wish we'd played a little better. Then again, I wish New Mexico had let us. . . .
"But with all that, we played on and came back, every single time. If we had a game after this one, my players would come back and win. They always have."
The comebacks are history now, as is this remarkable season.
OVER AND BACK: The Wahine leave Albuquerque tonight and will stay overnight in Los Angeles. They are scheduled to return tomorrow, at 11:50 a.m., on Delta flight No. 203. . . . Hawai'i's 26 victories is third-best in WAC history. . . . This was the Wahine's 10th national tournament appearance. Their record is 6-11. . . . Things were so bad for Hawai'i last night that it didn't make a free throw in the first half, missing all four attempts.
