The winning formula for the surging University of Hawai'i women's basketball team evidently contains a heavy dose of praise.

And Hawai'i acting head coach Pat Charity has plenty of that.

"With us, she's more open, she's more intense," Hawai'i co-captain Pam Tambini said. "Her intensity gets us inspired. Before, negativity was our problem. Now, it's all positive."

Hawai'i will host Utah State in a rescheduled game at 3 p.m. today at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Western Athletic Conference game was originally slated for last night, but it was postponed because the Aggies experienced travel delays.

"There is no reason not to play this game," Utah State head coach Raegan Pebley said in a statement. "This is a very important game for both teams."

The sixth-place 'Bows (12-12 overall, 6-6 WAC) are riding a season-best five-game win streak, and are 3-0 under Charity, who is filling in for Jim Bolla. Bolla is on an undetermined leave of absence following an undisclosed surgical procedure Feb. 5.

Meanwhile, the third-place Aggies (10-13, 6-5) will be led by interim coach George Brosky, who took over for Pebley after she gave birth Jan. 30. Utah State has won three consecutive games.

Hawai'i senior forward Tambini said the rescheduled game won't adversely affect the 'Bows.

"We're fine, we're at home," she said. "Another day isn't going to matter. I don't think it will have an impact. I think we'll be ready to go."

Hawai'i held a spirited 90-minute practice yesterday, and the 'Bows are finding that working for Charity has its rewards.

"I'm glad the players have accepted me," said Charity, who is in her third season with Hawai'i.

Players have described her as a motivator, an energetic leader and a solid communicator.

"I'm going to jump in some drills, I'm active," Charity said. "Whatever it takes. If I have to get on my knees to beg someone to rebound ... they've seen me do that, 'Can you guys please rebound!' "

When asked if she wanted to be a head coach at Hawai'i someday, Charity responded: "No, no, no. I'm very happy as long as I can stay with coach Bolla. ... A lot of people don't understand, I've been in this business for 30 years, and I have been a head coach before (at Western Michigan, 1990-97).

"If the Good Lord is willing, and that's where he wants me to be, that's where I'll be, as a head coach," said Charity, who has led the 'Bows to breakthrough wins at Louisiana Tech Feb. 10 and against visiting Fresno State Thursday. "Personally, do I really want to be a head coach? No. I'd rather stay as an associate and be given the responsibilities coach Bolla gives me."

So far, Charity has received solid scoring production from her reserves. In the three games at the helm, the reserves have scored 33 percent of the team's points (65 of 196). Prior to that, it had been 19 percent (254 of 1,314).

In the team's most recent victory, 11 of 14 available Hawai'i players saw action, and 10 scored in the 79-65 win over Fresno State.

"It's real big," said Hawai'i senior guard Cassidy Chretien, who had career game with 15 points and seven assists against the Bulldogs. "Everybody is getting a chance to show what they got."

Frequent substitution also keeps players fresh for key moments in the game, said Tambini, who is averaging 33.2 minutes per game, second on the team. Senior guard Janevia Taylor leads at 33.9 minutes.

"I do get tired," Tambini said. "Even if she takes me out for a minute or two, it gives me my second wind. ... It gives me that extra push for the end of the game."

As for the reserves, more playing time gives them added confidence, Tambini said.

"Now it seems they're not so much worried about making a mistake," she said. "They're just playing, and not thinking, 'What if I do something wrong?' "

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.