The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team's victory over Tennessee Tech yesterday was all about unselfishness and distribution.

Hawai'i's first 17 field goals came off assists and the team's first five field goals were from each of its starters.

Still, it wasn't easy as the Rainbow Wahine won, 60-57, only after the Golden Eagles missed two 3-point attempts in the closing seconds during the Island Imaging Paradise Classic before 201 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Dita Liepkalne, a 6-foot sophomore, set career-highs with 19 points and 12 rebounds for Hawai'i (4-4), which ended a three-game losing streak.

"I think the team went out and was ready to play," Liepkalne said. "We did what the coaches told us to do and we executed, and the results showed."

Tennessee Tech (1-8), which trailed by 11 early in the second half, got within 60-57 after Kristina Tyler's field goal with 1:53 left.

Hawai'i missed shots on its final three possessions, including a layup attempt by Saundra Cariaga after she received a backdoor lob from Keisha Kanekoa with 19 seconds left.

"At the end of the game we run the play for Saundra to get a layup and she blows the layup," Hawai'i coach Jim Bolla said. "If we make that layup it's a 5-point game and we don't have to worry about defending them down there for a 3 that could possibly tie the game."

Tennessee Tech also had its chances, but a missed 3-pointer and shot clock violation with 36 seconds left preceded its final possession.

The Golden Eagles inbounded with 13.8 seconds remaining and Blair Bowens' 3-pointer from the left wing was blocked out of bounds by Tanya Smith with 2.6 seconds left. Holly Rogers' desperation heave from 28 feet straight away was off the mark as time expired.

"It shouldn't have (gone down to the end), but give them a lot of credit," Bolla said of the Golden Eagles.

Hawai'i's first field goal without an assist was a layup with 11:17 left by Liepkalne, who was fouled on the play. She made the free throw to make it 48-42.

Hawai'i's lead reached 54-45 after a field goal by Kanekoa with 6:34 remaining.

But the Golden Eagles got back in it behind Tyler, who scored her team's final six points and finished with 19.

Kanekoa had seven assists and Amy Kotani added four for Hawai'i, which had 18 assists on 24 made field goals.

The Rainbow Wahine also had 21 turnovers.

"Eighteen assists, 24 baskets, that's nice, but sometimes it's too many passes," Bolla said. "We want to go that one extra pass and it turns into a turnover."

Liepkalne, who was 7 of 8 from the field and 3 of 3 from the line yesterday, struggled with foul trouble against Western Carolina the previous day. She had four points in the 69-60 loss.

"If someone doesn't do as well, someone else always steps up," Liepkalne said. "It's just a natural thing."

Hawai'i was 6 of 9 from 3-point range with Liepkalne and Kotani each hitting two.

However, Bolla was disappointed in post players Smith and Iwona Zagrobelna, who combined for 10 points on 5-of-18 shooting.

"Production from our posts was non-existent especially with our size advantage," Bolla said. "When you're 6-5 and you have someone 6-foot guarding you, every time you catch the ball it should be a score.

"When we did dump it inside to our people, we struggled; Tanya fading away and Iwona not even looking to try and shoot the ball."

Tennessee Tech was 13 of 21 from the free-throw line, while the Rainbow Wahine were 6 of 10. This season, Hawai'i has attempted 85 free throws, while its opponents have shot 196.

"We have an aversion to any kind of contact inside and draw fouls," Bolla said.

WESTERN CAROLINA 82, OREGON STATE 70

Kendra Eaton scored 15 points to lead four teammates in double figures as the Lady Catamounts beat the Beavers. Monique Dawson, Lauren Powell and Brooke Johnson each added 13 points for Western Carolina (6-2). The Lady Catamounts led by 26 at one point. Ashley Allen scored 34 points to lead Oregon State (5-3).

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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