Posted on: Friday, February 18, 2005

Abele helps Rainbow Wahine top Boise State

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team won just its second road game in its last 11 tries yesterday with a 51-41 conquest of Boise State at The Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

The Rainbow Wahine surged to a 28-13 halftime lead in improving to 10-10 overall and 6-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos are 8-15 and 3-11.

"Our defense played really well in the first half — (Boise State) only shot (17.4) percent in the first half," said Hawai'i head coach Jim Bolla.

The Broncos adjusted to the Rainbow Wahine zone in the second half and outscored Hawai'i 28-23. "It was kind of a ugly win, but a win is a win," Bolla said.

Senior Jade Abele, who scored her 1,000th point as a Rainbow Wahine, led Hawai'i with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists — all team-highs.

"It's a great tribute to her. She wasn't going into the game thinking about her 1,000th point, she just wanted the win," Bolla said.

Abele, who became the 14th Rainbow Wahine to reach the scoring milestone, has 1,007 points.

Cassidy Blaine scored 19 points for the Broncos, who shot just 28.8 percent from the field.

Hawai'i plays at Texas-El Paso tomorrow. The Rainbow Wahine are 14-1 all-time against the Miners, including 6-1 in El Paso.