San Jose sweeps season series with Hawai'i
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i lost its only senior to suspension last night. And without April Atuaia in the lineup, the Rainbow Wahine continued their season-long inability to put the ball in the basket.
San Jose State took full advantage of both problems to win the WAC basketball game, 62-50, before 464 at Stan Sheriff Center. This is the first season SJSU has swept its series with UH.
The Spartans (13-6, 5-5 WAC) came here on a three-game losing streak. They leave with Hawai'i (5-14, 3-7) enduring its third three-game funk of the season, heading into a road game at Ruston against eighth-ranked Louisiana Tech. The 'Bows will probably be without Atuaia again.
She was suspended Tuesday for "an infraction of team rules," according to UH coach Vince Goo. He said he would "re-evaluate" the suspension after a week to see if Atuaia had "taken care of her responsibilities." The team leaves Monday and Goo said he does not expect Atuaia to make the trip.
"April makes a huge difference," SJSU coach Janice Richard said. "They are definitely a different team without her. ... The girls felt a little bit better when they didn't see April out there."
With its shooting woes and inexperience, Hawai'i had no chance of catching the Spartans last night. It stayed close in the first half despite SJSU's rebounding dominance; the Spartans had 11 offensive rebounds to the 'Bows 13 total rebounds.
"They are just so strong inside," said Jade Abele, who led UH with 12 points — half from the foul line. "We were definitely in front of them, we just didn't have that strength factor."
Ultimately though, UH could not overcome 21-percent shooting in the second half. It made but five baskets against the re-energized Spartans, who focused on slowing Janevia Taylor, the 'Bows' freshman point guard. The strategy worked.
"You're not going to win any ballgame shooting 21 percent," Goo said. "We tried to get out there and run and we just didn't shoot very well. ... We climbed back into the game in the first half because of our offense. The second half we didn't."
The Spartans prevailed last night because they had four seniors comfortable with making adjustments, including point guard Cricket Williams, who reached 20 points for the third time in four games. Her teammates dominated inside and played enough defense to make the UH offense disappear for 9 1/2 minutes in the second half.
San Jose led just 31-29 at halftime and Hawai'i scored the first three points of the second half. The advantage was short-lived.
After the game's 12th lead change, the Spartans scored 11 straight points to go up 44-35. By the time Pam Tambini made Hawai'i's first basket since the first five minutes of the half, with 7:27 to go, the Spartans were ahead 51-41.
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
