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Tiana Fuertes scored a career-high 19 points with five three-pointers in win.
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January 17, 1999
SALT LAKE CITY - Tiana Fuertes had a career-high 19 points and amde five three-pointers as the Utah Utes routed the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine, 82-51, on Sunday afternoon at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
The Utes, who posted their second-most lopsided win of the season, outplayed their Western Athletic Conference rivals on both ends of the court. Hawai'i, the pre-season favorite in the WAC's Pacific Division, shot a season-low 32.1 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range. Utah made 31-of-59 field goals shooting 52.5 percentand made 9-of-22 three-pointers (40.9%). The Utes also pulled down 50 rebounds while limiting Hawai'i to just 19, both season-best marks for the U.
"It was a nice effort all around," said Ute head coach Elaine Elliott. "That was our best job of accomplishing the things that we as coaches said that we could do against an opposing team. Our big kids were disciplined and played smart. We stayed under the basket and on our feet, and we didn't get out of position, which leads to committing fouls and putting people on the free throw line."
Centers Kristi Rose and Lauren Beckman each posted a game-high eight rebounds and six points. The duo also had five blocked shots and committed just four fouls between them, splitting the 40 minutes evenly.
Fuertes, who played in the same back court with the Rainbow Wahine's BJ Itoman for three years at Iolani High School in Honolulu, won their first-ever collegiate one-on-one dual. Fuertes shot 6-of-10 from the field and 5-of-7 from behind the arc, and dished out five assists in 29 minutes. Itoman was impressive on the defensive end with seven steals; but was held to just six points, missing all five three-point attempts.
"Tiana shot the ball extremely well, and I was really happy for her" said Elliott. "We talked to her about being more vocal and being more of a leader for us. She's really stepped up in that area this week and has responded well."
As the score indicates, Fuertes had plenty of help. Lori Red made 7-of-15 shots for 16 points. Red also recorded a game-high eight assists and three steals in 32 minutes. Freshman Lindsey Herbert, making her first career start in place of an injured Erin Gibbons, had a career-high 15 points (all in the second half), making 5-of-8 field goals.
"We do have some shooters on this team," said Elliott "It's nice to know that we don't have anybody who we would put on the floor that can't shoot."
Utah (11-4, 2-1 WAC) jumped out to a 15-3 lead in the first 10 minutes and never looked back. The Utes outscored Hawai'i (9-7, 1-3 WAC) 26-8 in the first 8:31 of the second half to build a 30-point lead.
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