Box Score
An inspired Hawaii squad picked up a 73-57 win over Santa Clara in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. A season-high 2,624 fans watched seniors Crystal Lee and Dainora Puida each notch double-doubles to power the Wahine in their first-ever home post-season game.
Lee finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Meanwhile, Puida recorded her fourth straight double-double and 10th of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She also added three blocks.
The Wahine (24-7) led from wire to wire and used a quick start to help propel them to victory. The Wahine built a double-digit lead in the first seven minutes of the game and held a 34-20 lead at the break. The Broncos scored the first six points of the second half to cut the lead to eight, but UH countered with eight straight points and maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
Neither team shot the ball well, with UH hitting 36 percent and SCU 37 percent from the field. But the Wahine crashed the boards, holding a 51-35 advantage over the Broncos. UH also shot a season-high 41 free throws, out-scoring Santa Clara 28-7 from the line.
Senior center Annie Garrison led the Broncos with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Santa Clara ended its season at 20-8.
The Wahine next face the winner of the Oregon State-BYU match which will be played on Friday evening in Corvallis, Ore. The time and site of the second round matchup is yet to be determined.