After strong seasons, both the Hawai`i and Rice women's basketball teams fell in the first round of Women's National Invitational Tournament. Hawai`i fell to Oregon State in Corvallis, while the Owls fell to the University of Houston in Houston.
Hawaii dug itself in a deep hole and couldnt quite recover, in falling to Oregon State, 62-50, in the first round of the WNIT. Oregon State's Felicia Ragland scored 24 points and the Beavers blitzed the Rainbow Wahine with a 16-0 run in the first half to end UHs post-season title hopes.
Hawai`i finished with a 23-8 overall record for their third straight 20-win season and their sixth in the last seven seasons.
Despite strong performances from junior Kara Liggett and sophomore Johnetta Hayes, the Lady Owls' season came to a close Wednesday in a close 67-65 loss to Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion.
The Lady Owls end the 2001-02 season with a 21-9 record. It is their fourth season with at least 20 wins in the last five years.