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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 20, 2003

Rainbow Wahine have edge in experience over ASU

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

 •  Women's National Invitation Tournament

WHO: Hawai'i vs. Arizona State

WHEN: Today, 4:30 p.m. Hawai'i time

WHERE: Wells Fargo Arena, Tempe, Ariz.

RADIO: Live on KKEA (1420-AM)

Fittingly at the Wells Fargo Arena, the visiting University of Hawai'i women's basketball team will bank on its experience against Arizona State in today's Women's National Invitation Tournament first-round game.

Tipoff is 4:30 p.m. at the Sun Devils' 14,141-seat arena in Tempe, Ariz.

Hawai'i's starting seniors Natasja Allen, Michelle Gabriel and Christen Roper have nearly double the combined collegiate playing experience of the entire ASU projected starting lineup of three freshmen and two sophomores.

Even so, the Rainbows (16-13) and head coach Vince Goo are still wary about the upstart Sun Devils (15-13), who have upset No. 9 Georgia, No. 19 Arizona and No. 20 Washington this season.

"Vince told us even though they are young, they play really hard," Gabriel said. "I think it's just going to come down to the team that wants to continue the season the longest. It's going to come down to who wants it more."

Hawai'i will be playing in its fourth consecutive WNIT, and for once, is looking forward to the 32-team postseason tournament. In the previous three seasons, Hawai'i felt that it should have been invited to the NCAA Tournament after posting consecutive seasons of 20 wins or more, but settled for the WNIT.

Hawai'i sophomore forward Kim Willoughby said today's game will provide an opportunity to make up for a 85-58 loss against No. 6 Louisiana Tech in the WAC Tournament semifinals Friday.

"It's always good to end on a good note, especially for the seniors," Willoughby said. "Most of us are just happy to play right now. That's the best thing about it. Hopefully, it just keeps going."

Said teammate April Atuaia: "We want to go out with a bang, especially after the Louisiana Tech game, losing by as much as we did. We should be OK."

Arizona State is making its fourth straight postseason appearance, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2002.

The Sun Devils will be led by three freshmen starters: guard Jill Noe, and forwards Kristen Kovesdy and Amy Denson. Sophomore guards Carrie Buckner and Kylan Loney also are expected to start.

The rookies have turned in some of the best performances in school history. Noe is trying to become the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since Pac-10 All-Freshman selection Theresa Jantzen (10.9 ppg, 1998-99). She averages 12.4 points per game.

"They've got some youth," Goo said. "We have the experience. If we go out and play to our maturity level, then I think we'll do OK."

Noe, Kovesdy and Denson have written themselves into the ASU freshman record books for points and rebounds with each ranking in the top six. Noe also ranks in the top five in assists and steals, while Kovesdy and Jenny Thigpin each rank in the top five for blocks. Kovesky leads the team in rebounding (6.1 per game), followed by Denson at 6.0.

The Sun Devils are stingy on defense, allowing 61.6 points per game, good for third in the Pac-10. They also rank first in 3-point defense (.294) and offensive rebounds (422).

Hawai'i will counter with guards Gabriel (5.9 ppg, 3.07 apg) and Atuaia (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), forwards Jade Abele (9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.14 apg) and Allen (9.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), and center Roper (9.8 ppg, 3.55 bpg, 7.9 rpg).

Willoughby has been one of the best players off the bench for Hawai'i, leading the team in points (11.5) and field-goal percentage (50.6 percent).

One of the recent bright spots for Hawai'i has been Atuaia, who scored in double figures in seven straight games, averaging 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds during the stretch.

Goo admitted that his team is a "little weary" from a string of road games and hoped that it could overcome playing its fifth consecutive road game since March 6.

"We've been on road a long time, but we're not going to use that excuse," he said. "It's only a 40-minute game. You're not going to get tired in 40 minutes."

Notes: Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier is a 1977 graduate of Arizona State. Frazier, an eight-time All-American, was the captain of ASU's 1977 NCAA champion track and field team and won NCAA titles in the 400-meter and as a member of ASU's 4x100-meter relay team. He won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the U.S. 4x400-meter relay team and a bronze medal in the 400 at the 1976 Olympics. He also was on the 1980 Olympic team.