"She's a real big part of this team," Toiaivao said of Taylor. "We wanted to win it for her and the team. We needed this game."

A crowd of 358 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Hawai'i (7-6 overall, 3-3 Western Athletic Conference) break out of its three-game shooting slump by shooting a season-best 56 percent (28 of 50) against UTEP (8-8, 3-3).

Hawai'i, which entered last night's game shooting just 32 percent in its last three games, revived its offense with an uptempo running attack and a physical inside game. Hawai'i also broke a single-game school record with 14 blocks.

"We had a lot of energy out there, and we started having fun," Hawai'i swing player Amy Sanders said. "When you're having fun, you're not thinking about your shooting. We got a lot of easy baskets tonight."

The Rainbow Wahine sprinted to a 21-point first-half lead, and led by as many as 26 in the second half. UTEP sank eight 3-pointers in the second half and closed to 72-63 with 26 seconds remaining, but Milia Macfarlane sealed the outcome by hitting two free throws.

Sanders had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Macfarlane added 14 points and Brittany Grice tied a Hawai'i single-game record with eight blocks. Kasia Krezel scored 14 points to lead three UTEP teammates in double figures.

The Rainbow Wahine also turned in one of their best defensive performances of the season last night, holding UTEP to 31-percent shooting.

"They did a good job of double- and triple-teaming our post players and being physical," UTEP coach Keitha Green said. "When you're on the road you can't dig yourself in a big hole. It's hard to work your way out of it and come back."

The Miners took nearly four minutes to score their first basket of the game on Jonna Launiainen's 3-pointer and went scoreless for another four minutes before Izabela Piekarska's free throw cut Hawai'i's lead to 13-4 with 12:27 remaining in the half.

Hawai'i increased its lead to 31-10 on a basket by Toiaivao, and cruised to a 40-19 halftime advantage. Hawai'i shot 54 percent in the first half and held UTEP to 22 percent.

"The thing about Hawai'i's team is they have a very balanced team," Green said. "They have a lot scorers. They're not a one-man band."

In the second half, Hawai'i took its largest lead of the game at 45-19 on a 3-pointer by Sanders.

But the Miners made it interesting with its 3-point shooting, going 8 of 18 in the second half. However, they could not overcome the huge first-half deficit.

"They made a real good run at us," UH coach Jim Bolla said. "The game wasn't over until Milia made those last couple free throws."

Taylor was on crutches and had a soft cast on her right ankle after the game. She said she landed on Callie Spooner's foot in practice and was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain.

"It's not as bad as it seems," Taylor said. "It looks bad with the crutches. Maybe I'll be back (tomorrow) if I get clearance."

UTEP dropped to 1-14 against Hawai'i, including an 0-7 mark at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Miners were coming off their top two shooting performances of the season, including a 49 percent performance in a 68-64 win against visiting Fresno State on Jan. 15.