Hawaii ends Southeast's 4-game winning streak

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Southeast Missouri State University's women had their four-game winning streak snapped a long way from home.

Playing on the first night of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Invitational late Thursday, Southeast suffered a 79-69 loss at the hands of the University of Hawaii, the host squad.

Southeast, which fell to 4-2, played Brigham Young (4-1) late Friday night as it wrapped up action in the three-team event. Hawaii (2-2) and Brigham Young finish off the tournament with a game today.

Junior center Tatiana Conceicao led Southeast with 22 points, hitting eight of 14 shots from the field and six of seven free throws. Conceicao is averaging more than 21 points per game.

Junior guard/forward Simone Jackson, like Conceicao a junior college transfer, had by far the best game of her young Southeast career by scoring 16 points. She made all seven of her shots from the floor and also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

"Simone Jackson had a great game," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said.

But most of Southeast's other players struggled with their shooting as Southeast shot just 40 percent overall (26 of 65), including a dismal 16.7 percent from 3-point range (three of 18). Smith's squad was also hurt by 19 turnovers.

Sophomore guard Janevia Taylor scored a career-high 23 points for Hawaii. Also in double figures were senior guard Milia Macfarlane (15 points), sophomore center Brittany Grice (14) and senior forward Jade Abele (10).

Hawaii shot 43.8 percent from the field (27 of 62) and sizzled from 3-point range at 50 percent (seven of 14). The Rainbow Wahine also had an edge in turnovers, committing 15.

Despite its struggles, Southeast hung tough most of the game. A tight first half featured Southeast's biggest lead of the night at 29-23, but Hawaii closed the period with a 13-2 run to lead 36-31 at the break.

Hawaii never trailed in the second half, although Southeast managed one tie when Jackson's basket made it 41-41 with about 15 minutes remaining.

But Hawaii answered with a 9-2 run that made it 50-43 and the Rainbow Wahine pretty much had control the rest of the way. Another 9-2 spurt made it 59-45.

Southeast managed to close within seven points twice, including 61-54, but a 7-1 Hawaii burst made it 68-55 and all but sealed the outcome.

"I'm really disappointed. We should have won this game," Smith said. "Hawaii is a good team, but we made so many mistakes."