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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 15, 2002

'Bows knock off Kentucky, 70-59

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i guard April Atuaia scored a game-high 17 points and center Christen Roper added 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Rainbows dismantled Kentucky, 70-59, in the opening round of the Hawai'i Invitational last night.

An estimated crowd of 1,000 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow offense dissect the Wildcats with cross-court passes and sharp cuts to the basket.

On defense, the Rainbows annoyed the Wildcats with their pesky man-to-man defense and rarely gave up second-chance baskets that had hurt them against Connecticut and North Carolina two weeks ago.

"It's a lot easier when we box them out and they don't get second attempts," Hawai'i forward Natasja Allen said. "We did really well on that tonight."

Hawai'i snapped its two-game losing streak and advanced into today's championship game.

Hawaii (4-2) will play UNLV (5-1) at 5 today in the championship game. Kentucky (2-4) will play Long Island (0-6) for third place at 3.

In yesterday's opening game, UNLV defeated Long Island, 60-56.

"After a two-week break and playing a team from the (Southeastern Conference) with a lot of talent, I'm pretty satisfied," Hawai'i coach Vince Goo said.

Kentucky rallied briefly in the second half with hard drives to the basket, but the Rainbows never lost their composure and the lead.

UH's Jade Abele added 13 points and Allen had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"We started out quickly and built the lead," Roper said. "They would battle back, but we pushed them down."

Hawai'i played nearly flawless in the first 20 minutes and seized a 33-18 halftime lead behind Roper's 11 points.

In the first half, the Rainbows committed only two turnovers and frustrated Kentucky on defense. The Wildcats rarely got an open shot and missed 25 of 32 shots.

Sara Potts and Jenny Pfeiffer each scored 12 points for Kentucky.

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