The loss, watched by 1,932 at Stan Sheriff Center, was memorable only because of its rarity. This is the 'Bows' first losing season since 1995, and only the third in Goo's 17-year history as head coach. Unless a miracle occurs next week, it will be the first time April Atuaia — the 'Bows' lone senior, who was also honored last night — will not play in the postseason.

Goo has made 10 postseason trips in his career, but what he always emphasized — what everyone emphasized last night in the post-game program — was his perfect graduation rate. Atuaia, a Kahuku High graduate, is the 45th player to finish her eligibility for Goo. She plans to become the 45th to graduate from college.

"I'd like whoever comes in to know the tradition of the program, what we've built," Goo said. "We'd also like someone who is going to give a good look to our local kids. And obviously I would like the person coming in to not just talk about, but actually put an emphasis on academics."

Hawai'i, the fourth-youngest Division I team in the country, finished its regular season 8-19, and 6-12 in the WAC. But even with six freshmen, it had the highest team grade point average of the 19 UH sports last fall.

It opens the McCaffrey WAC Tournament against ninth-seeded Boise State on Tuesday in Fresno. The Rainbow Wahine swept the BSU series this season.

Last night's victory gives the Bulldogs (13-15, 7-11) the sixth seed in the tournament, and keeps them out of Tuesday's play-in round. That gave FSU coach Stacy Johnson-Klein time to talk about Goo.

She called him "a true legend" and spoke of the respect she had for his success "academically and athletically."

"I know, standing here looking at these girls, there's a lot of tears, a lot of respect," Johnson-Klein said. "Whenever you have this many former players and that many women who have so many good things to say about you, you surely have made an impact on the game."

Goo was given a broom by his family — a broad hint that he will not be allowed to spend all his retirement time on the golf course. Several alumnae showed up or sent him letters. Jade Abele and Milia Macfarlane, tri-captains with Atuaia, spoke through tears.

"If he wants to reapply next year I'm sure they'll have him," said Abele, who will be a senior next season. "Definitely on the court is a big thing, but if you listen to everyone tonight the impact he made on everyone personally was what is so special.

"You have four years of playing and it's when you grow into who you're going to be. He made such an impact on everyone. I feel sorry for the freshmen who only got one year of him."

Those freshmen, along with Abele and Atuaia, almost put the Bulldogs into the play-in game last night.

The Rainbow Wahine took advantage of a flurry of early FSU turnovers to pull ahead 26-19 with 4:44 left in the first half. The Bulldogs took advantage of UH foul trouble to seize control before the break, scoring 12 unanswered points and going into halftime with a 35-30 advantage.

The 'Bows spent the entire second half trying to make up for their lapse. An 8-0 run put them ahead 46-45 with 6:58 showing, but the Bulldogs had too much size and Hawai'i too little shooting. UH hit just 32 percent of its field-goal attempts and was 11 of 19 from the line.

"We wanted to win so bad for him. I think we were trying too hard," Abele said. "We missed a few free throws, then Gricey (Brittany Grice) fouled out and I fouled out. We just didn't get the bounce we needed. The effort was there. It's been there all season."

Abele finished with her second double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) of the season. Freshman Janevia Taylor led UH with 16 points. 'Aiea graduate Aritta Lane had 16 points and eight rebounds for FSU.

Atuaia said aloha with 7 points, 5 rebounds and much gratitude.

"He'll be remembered as a legend," she said of Goo. "Whenever you hear Rainbow Wahine basketball, you'll think of Vince Goo. He's established a program here that was set by rules. You can tell with his graduation rate how much respect the players have for him.

"I think he'll always be remembered here and I'm just glad I had the opportunity to play for him."

OVER AND BACK: The WAC Tournament opener will be Vince Goo's 500th game as the Rainbow Wahine head coach. His record is 334-165. ... San Jose State beat Nevada, 81-78, in double overtime last night. The Wolf Pack went into the second overtime with just four players. ...ÊFresno State lost eight straight before winning six of its last eight.