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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:23 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2009

Idaho holds off Rainbow Wahine, 63-60

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i chased Idaho almost the entire game, then went scoreless for the final 2:24 to fall to the Vandals, 63-60, in a Western Athletic Conference basketball game watched by 338 tonight at Stan Sheriff Center.

The game was interrupted for 30 minutes in the second half when the lights went out.

The loss dropped Hawai'i to 6-21 on the season — the most losses in program history. UH is 3-11 in the WAC, and in eighth place.

Idaho (12-13, 9-5) is in third place in its first year under coach Jon Newlee, a former Rainbow Wahine assistant. The Vandals won just eight conference games the previous three seasons combined.

Keisha Kanekoa led the 'Bows with 16 points. Rachele Kloke had a game-high 20 for Idaho. Punahou graduate Shaena-Lyn Kuehu, a freshman for the Vandals, had 11 points and five rebounds. 

After trailing nearly the entire game, Hawai'i scored nine straight points after the blackout to take a 56-54 lead with 5:12 remaining. There were three more ties, the last at 60 with 2:24 to go. Kloke's three free throws were the only points after that.

UH scored on its first possession of the game, but Idaho followed with a 9-0 run. The 'Bows would catch the Vandals — four times — in the first half but never passed them and trailed 28-26 at halftime.

Hawai'i grabbed the lead back on Dita Liepkalne's 3-pointer to open the second half. Idaho answered with another 9-0 run until the Rainbows came back after the blackout.

The Rainbow Wahine play Boise State in their final home game tomorrow, at 5 p.m. Seniors Tara Hittle, Catherine Cho and Ebony Jones will be recognized after the game. Hittle has not played the last two games after injuring her knee a week ago.

UH's final regular-season game is next Saturday at Reno, where the WAC Tournament begins March 10.