Atuaia will be back on court

Advertiser Staff

•	WAC women WHAT: Hawai'i (5-16, 3-9 WAC) vs. Boise State (7-15, 4-9) today and UTEP (13-9, 8-5) Saturday WHEN: 7 p.m. both days WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center TICKETS: $7 adults, $6 senior citizens, students and children free PARKING: $3 TV: Both games live on KFVE RADIO: Live on 1420 AM tonight only PROMOTION: Rainbowtique will give out free antenna balls to first 500 fans tonight

Atuaia, the only senior on this year's team, probably won't start, but she'll suit up, Goo said. Tipoff at the Stan Sheriff Center is 7 p.m.

Hawai'i (5-16 overall, 3-9 Western Athletic Conference) has lost five consecutive games, and Boise State (7-15, 4-9) has lost seven of its last eight.

"We'll see if she plays or not," Goo said of Atuaia. "She's missed some time. Right now I don't think she's game ready, but being a veteran she'll get back a lot sooner than a younger player who has been out for a couple of weeks. She'll be ready to go."

Goo said he could not elaborate on the team rules that Atuaia violated because of privacy rules, but said in earlier reports that he would "re-evaluate" her suspension after she had "taken care of her responsibilities."

Without Atuaia, the Rainbow Wahine lost all three games, including the last two on the road. Atuaia is among the team leaders in scoring (2nd, 9.4), minutes (2nd, 27.1), 3-point field goals (2nd, 17), rebounds (3rd, 84) and assists (3rd, 36).

Goo said he plans to start Janevia Taylor at point guard, Brittany Grice at center, Jade Abele at forward, and possibly Amy Sanders at a wing position. The last position could be a toss-up between Trisha Nishimoto and Milia Macfarlane, Goo said.

"It's going to come down on how we match up defensively," he said.

Boise State is led by sophomore Jamie Hawkins, who averages 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Goo said the Broncos have quick perimeter players, and their whole team has good dribbling skills. They execute plays off a variety of screens on and off the ball.

"They run a very good motion," Goo said. "There's a lot of movement. You need to move your feet on defense against them, otherwise you'll get caught getting beat to the basket."