The Maui News
Lily Wahinekapu scored 20 points, including six in the second overtime period as the University of Hawaii women's basketball team outlasted Cal State Fullerton 82-75 in the Big West Conference tournament quarterfinals Wednesday in Henderson, Nev.
After the teams finished regulation tied at 59, the third-seeded Rainbow Wahine (16-14) opened up a 64-60 lead a couple minutes into the first overtime before a 3-pointer by Fullerton's Gabi Vidmar with 2:43 remaining pulled the Titans back within one. CSF pulled ahead 67-64 with 25 seconds left, but Meilani McBee's 3 with 19 seconds remaining followed by a missed jumper by Fullerton forced a second OT period.
UH briefly fell behind after a Titans jumper before taking the lead for good when Ashley Thoms' 3 made it 70-69 with 4:17 on the clock. The Rainbow Wahine hit eight of 12 free throws to close it out and set up a semifinal meeting with second-seeded Long Beach State on Friday.
In addition to her team-high point total, Wahinekapu had eight rebounds and five assists. McBee added 14 points, Daejah Phillips scored 13 points and Imani Perez chipped in 11.
Ashlee Lewis led the sixth-seeded Titans (14-16) with 22 points.
The UH men begin tournament play today with a quarterfinal game against Cal State Fullerton.