Rainbow Wahine visit No. 6 Lady Techsters today

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i (5-14, 3-7 WAC) comes to Ruston in real danger of leaving with its first four-game losing streak of the season. It is seventh in the Western Athletic Conference and looking up at the Techsters (17-2, 10-1), who have won their past nine and are tied for first with Rice — the one WAC team that has been able to beat them since they joined the conference two-plus seasons ago.

But the Rainbow Wahine aren't too beaten down to look up, which coach Vince Goo considers a gift.

"They play hard and practice hard, they concentrate," Goo said. "Sometimes they lose focus because of their youth, but they always have a good time and keep their heads up. I thought a long time ago they would have had their heads down, but it hasn't happened. They know they have a future."

Four of the six freshmen have started this season. The first-year players are contributing a third of the scoring and rebounding. That could expand this week. April Atuaia, Hawai'i's lone senior, did not make the trip.

Atuaia was suspended for a week before Friday's San Jose State game. Her suspension was to be "re-evaluated" by the coaches Tuesday. Because they were on the road, that was delayed until they get back.

"We need to get the paperwork and make sure she's taken care of all her responsibilities," Goo said.

Hawai'i still is in better shape than it has been in a dozen games. All the players are finally healthy, with freshman Pam Tambini and sophomore Callie Spooner back without limitations.

Tambini was starting before injuring her foot and missing 11 games. She played 23 minutes in her first game back Friday, grabbing a team-high six rebounds and taking a collegiate-high nine shots.

Tonight, she and her teammates need to make a few more shots. The 'Bows have not reached 60 points in six games and are near the bottom of every WAC offensive statistic.

Tech, which has defeated UH in all 12 meetings, is scoring 84 points a game and winning by an average of 25. Four players are averaging at least 10 points, with Amisha Carter averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Last time the teams played, Hawai'i fell 67-50 at home. Goo was pleased with his team's defense, but Tech's pressure picked apart the offense and Tech dominated inside.

Those areas have been of concern from the moment this Hawai'i team came together.

"Every single game we've had the effort," Goo says. "The offense is just not putting the ball in the basket. We compete hard, we just have to take care of the finesse areas like shooting and passing ... all the offensive areas."

OVER AND BACK: Hawai'i plays at fourth-place SMU Saturday afternoon (10 a.m. HST). The 'Bows beat the Mustangs here, 67-50. ... Both road games will be broadcast live on 1420 AM, beginning at 2:45 p.m. today and 9:45 a.m. Saturday. ... UH is 2-3 on the road this season. Last year, it lost its first seven road games before winning its last two.

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.