"We need to run," said Bolla, whose team averaged 52.4 points per game and shot 33.1 percent in its last five games when it went 1-4. "That's our thing. When we run, we're in good shape. When we don't run, that's when we struggle."

Hawai'i can still earn a first-round bye in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, March 8 to 12, in Reno, Nev. For that to happen, the Rainbow Wahine (10-13 overall, 6-10 WAC) must win their final two regular-season games at Nevada today and at Fresno State Saturday, and need San Jose State to defeat host Fresno State today.

"We're down to the nitty-gritty right now," Bolla said. "We didn't want to be in this position, but that's the position we're in. We have to deal with it."

Today's game at Nevada (7-19, 3-13) starts at 5 p.m. (Hawai'i time) and will be broadcast live on KKEA radio (1420 AM). Saturday's game at Fresno State (17-9, 8-8) will be broadcast live at noon.

Bolla said his players have been getting good shot opportunities, but they haven't been making them consistently. In its last game, Hawai'i missed about seven layups in a 70-49 loss to visiting Rice, Bolla said.

"The offense will come," Bolla said. "We're getting the shots. We just need a couple more to drop. Once that happens, we're in a whole different position."

Hawai'i worked this week on rebounding. Bolla said he simulated rough inside conditions using a football blocking pad on his players.

"It all starts with rebounding the ball," Bolla said. "If we can't rebound, then we can't run."

Bolla said he wanted his players to land with a solid base in a so-called "power position" — ball near their forehead, elbows out and in a knee-bending stance — while rebounding to ensure solid passes to start the running game.

Recently, Hawai'i had been losing "two or three" rebounds a game because its players were landing too upright and not securing the ball, Bolla said.

Nevada is led by freshman forward Meghan McGuire at 13.5 points per game. The Wolf Pack, which has lost three consecutive games, suffered a 71-43 loss at Hawai'i on New Year's Day. It was Hawai'i's largest margin of victory this season.

Fresno State is led by junior forward Amy Parrish (13.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and senior forward Aritta Lane (11.7 ppg, 6 rpg). Lane is a 2001 'Aiea graduate.

Fresno State yesterday terminated head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein after school President Dr. John Welty announced that Johnson-Klein inappropriately obtained pain medications from students and staff, engaged in deceptive and improper fiscal actions, lied and was insubordinate. Johnson-Klein was in the middle of her third season with the Bulldogs.

Adrian Wiggins is serving as interim head coach. The Bulldogs handed host Hawai'i its worst loss of the season, 70-48, on Dec. 30.