BAKERSFIELD, Calif. —The University of Hawai‘i women’s basketball team dropped back-to-back Big West games, falling to California State University-Bakersfield 64-57 Friday afternoon, and 51-43 Saturday afternoon at the Icardo Center.
The Wahine struggled to keep pace with the high-powered Roadrunners’ offense in the first game, as they found themselves down 10-0 in the first half and gave up seven three-pointers to trail 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Roadrunners, who were propelled by the performance of Lexus Green, scoring 11 points in the first 20 minutes, including three, three-point baskets, prevented the Wahine from establishing momentum in the game.
Green finished with a team-high 19 points, and the Roadrunners feasted off Wahine turnovers, scoring 26 points off UH miscues.
During the second half, the Wahine attempted a comeback, led by Jadynn Alexander, who scored a team-high 12 points. Nine of her points came on three-pointers.
They also got offensive help from freshman Daejah Phillips, who finished with 11 points and five rebounds, and scored nine of her points to squash UH’s rally attempt in the final 20 minutes of the game.
The Wahine made the necessary adjustments in the second game, and propelled by Amy Atwell’s 23-point performance, made the game much closer Saturday afternoon.
Atwell ended up accounting for more than half of the team’s offensive production.
That was the lowest point total the Wahine have manufactured during a game since its 64-32 loss to Oregon State on Dec. 6, 2019.
Atwell began to rally her team in the fourth quarter. Trailing by double digits, she hit three consecutive three-point baskets, narrowing the deficit to four with 1:10 left.
Phillips had six points and 10 rebounds, but the effort wasn’t enough.
The Wahine were outrebounded 48-33, including 18 offensive rebounds that resulted in 16 second-chance points for the Roadrunners.
The Wahine committed a total of 22 turnovers.
UH will host Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at SimpliFi Arena in Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
•••
Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
