A dominating inside game, a strong bench and an energetic interim head coach proved to be the winning combination for the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team last night against visiting Fresno State.

Brittany Grice and Cassidy Chretien each scored 15 points to lead a balanced offense and the 'Bows ended four seasons of Western Athletic Conference frustration against Bulldogs, 79-65.

"I think we're finally realizing our potential," said Grice, who contributed a team-high seven rebounds. "We are very capable of beating every opponent that we face. When it comes down to it, there is an attitude of 'never quit.' "

A crowd of 271 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows (12-12, 6-6 WAC) win their fifth straight game and improve to 3-0 under Pat Charity, who is serving as interim coach for Jim Bolla. Bolla is on an undetermined leave of absence following an undisclosed surgical procedure on Feb. 5.

In a prepared statement this week, Bolla said he hoped to return to coaching "very soon." Charity said Bolla could rejoin the team before the team's final road trip in two weeks.

"Everyone is stepping up," Charity said. "That's what our team needs to do if it wants to win this conference.

"Coach Bolla put everything in," she added. "I'm more a cheerleader. I just try to keep them upbeat."

Entering last night, Fresno State (13-11, 6-5) owned the longest current win streak of any WAC opponent versus Hawai'i, having beaten the 'Bows six straight times, starting with a 63-54 victory on March 6, 2004.

"We're doing a really good job playing as a team," Hawai'i junior forward Tanya Smith said. "Coach Bolla said we needed to become more of a team on the court. We took his advice. We're such a good team off the court and I think it's finally showing through."

Hawai'i finished with 22 assists and a season-high 79 points. The 'Bows also outscored the Bulldogs, 44-30, in the key.

"I told the team, 'You guys had 22 assists,' " Charity said. "They thought I was going to say 22 turnovers. They really shared the ball."

In what has become her signature, Charity received solid production from her reserves. She played 11 of 14 available players and Hawai'i's bench outscored Fresno State, 25-11.

"As an interim coach, the players either fall apart or they pull together," said Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins, a former interim coach for the Bulldogs three seasons ago. "They seem to be responding and pulling together. Obviously coach Bolla has done a good job with them and coach Charity has done a good job of being prepared and understanding the system."

Hawai'i's Pam Tambini added 14 points, while Smith had 12 points and six rebounds, and Amy Kotani added a career-high 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field. Chretien's 15 points and seven assists were career highs. She also went 11 of 12 from the free-throw line.

A pair of free throws by Grice gave Hawai'i a 55-49 advantage with 7:42 remaining, but the Bulldogs rallied with a 7-0 run and took their first lead of the game, 56-55, on Erica Henry's layup.

On the ensuing possession, Kotani swished 3-pointer from the left wing to put the 'Bows back ahead, 58-56, with 5:55 left.

"Their defense got caught up helping out with our post players," Kotani said. "That left me space to shoot."

Kotani's basket sparked a 15-4 run that gave Hawai'i a 70-60 lead with 2:17 left. Hawai'i sealed the victory by making 9 of 12 free throws in the final two minutes.

The 'Bows continue their three-game WAC homestand with Utah State tomorrow and San Jose State on Feb. 24.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.