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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, December 17, 2005

Rainbow Wahine win fourth straight

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's Alofa Toiaivao scores two of her 14 points against Campbell. Toiaivao also had nine rebounds and four blocked shots in the game.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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With one of its stars weakened from illness, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team turned to its reserve players to defeat visiting Campbell, 69-59, last night.

Brittany Grice had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Hawai'i's role players filled in admirably for ailing senior tri-captain Amy Sanders, who played sparingly after being briefly hospitalized at The Queen's Medical Center Wednesday morning because of a stomach ailment.

A crowd of 403 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Hawai'i win its fourth consecutive game and sixth of its last seven, the best streak under second-year UH coach Jim Bolla.

"I think you're seeing a lot of other players show what they can do," Grice said. "You're seeing a wide spectrum of talent right now. Everyone is getting better, and everyone is getting more confident in games like these."

Hawai'i (6-2) and Campbell (3-5) play again today at 4:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men's team, which hosts Utah State at 1:05 p.m.

Sanders' streak of 34 consecutive starts ended last night. She was replaced in the lineup by junior wing Dalia Solia.

Sanders played just 13 minutes, and sat out the entire second half because she said she was nauseated and dizzy. Sanders also aggravated a left leg injury and played with a soft cast on her leg.

"It's hard sitting out, I really wanted to get out there," said Sanders, who is tied for the team scoring lead at 13 points per game, but did not score last night. She said it will be a game-time decision whether she plays today.

Hawai'i got solid production from starting junior wing Pam Tambini, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and from its bench, which outscored Campbell 32-14. Hawai'i's Alofa Toiaivao had 14 points and nine rebounds, and Brittney Aiwohi added nine points, including a critical 3-pointer late.

For the game, the Rainbow Wahine outscored the Lady Camels, 34-24, in the paint, and outrebounded them, 53-37, including 21-11 on the offensive glass.

"Gosh, they're awfully good and strong," Campbell coach Wanda Watkins said of Hawai'i. "I couldn't be prouder of my kids, though. It was a great game. With two or three minutes to go, anybody could have gotten it."

Despite its rebounding advantage, Hawai'i could not put away Campbell. The Lady Camels closed to within two points three times in the final five minutes after trailing by as many as 11 points in the first half and nine points in the second half.

"Their zone really bothered us," Bolla said of Campbell's 2-3 zone. "From about eight minutes to three minutes they really got on the glass and got second chances."

Hawai'i took control in the first half with an 11-2 run that broke a 10-10 tie and gave it a 21-12 lead. The Rainbow Wahine scored seven second-chance points during the surge.

The Rainbow Wahine led 36-31 at halftime, and increased their lead to 47-38 on a basket by Grice with 13:36 left.

Campbell closed to 61-59 on a basket by Adrienne Rieley with 1:37 remaining, but Hawai'i's Aiwohi responded with her third 3-pointer of the game, and sparked a 8-0 run to end the contest.

"I just saw Alofa set that screen, and I was just going to shoot it again because I made two from there already," Aiwohi said of the shot. "I was just like, 'Please go in.' "

Campbell's Marlena Murphy had a career night with 14 points and eight rebounds

Notes: Fans will receive free admission to today's game with their ticket stub from the earlier men's game versus Utah State. Members of the women's basketball team will sign autographs for the Kids' Club members after today's game in the Wong Hospitality Room.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.