HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team was on the short end of a decision to Dixie State Saturday at McCabe Gym, despite another record-setting performance by
Lilia Maio.
The junior forward from Nanakuli broke the program's career mark in double-doubles in the 61-56 loss. Her 13-point, 14-rebound performance gave her 10 career double-doubles, passing Brittnee Fonnesbeck (2006-07) who previously held the record. Maio also tied her career-high with three blocks.
Chaminade fell to 4-10 overall and 4-6 in the Pacific West Conference.
Taylor Mann, who owns a career double-double average against the Silverswords, had 18 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks in the win for the Red Storm (4-12, 4-6 PacWest) who swept the season series. Mann entered Saturday averaging 14.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in her previous five games against the 'Swords.
Kristle Henry added 13 points, six rebounds and four assists for Chaminade while reigning PacWest Defender of the Week
Courtney Kaupu had 10 points and seven boards.
Taylor Babbitt tallied three steals and three rebounds in defeat.
After a tight first quarter, DSU used a 13-2 second quarter run spanning nearly five minutes to take a 35-24 lead. Consecutive layups by Kaupu and Henry to end the half shaved the deficit to 35-28 at the break.
The deficit remained in single digits until midway through the fourth quarter when the Red Storm's Gabrielle Cabanero dropped back-to-back buckets to give them an 11-point lead with 4:46 left to play.
But
Chantal Yadao started a rally with her steal and breakaway layup which sparked a 9-0 run which ended with Henry's layup, reducing the deficit to a mere deuce at 58-56 with 32 seconds left. Maio then forced Mann to cough up the ball, giving possession to Chaminade with eight seconds left with a chance to tie or take the lead. But Maio lost the ball out of bounds on an attempt to drive the lane.
Mann was then fouled with three seconds left and went only 1-for-2 from the lane, giving the 'Swords a pulse. But they could not get off a desperate game-tying shot off as they turned it over on the inbounds pass. Chaminade was then whistled for a technical foul as Mann hit two free throws to end the game.
The game was nearly even on the stat sheet as DSU owned the edge in field goals made (24-23), assists (13-10) and free throws (10-8). Chaminade held the statistical advantage in field goal percentage (36.5-32.9), blocks (4-3) and steals (7-6). However the Red Storm had 46 rebounds to the Silverswords' 41 and they also turned 19 CUH giveaways into 19 points. They also pulled down 20 offensive rebounds and owned a 22-10 advantage in second chance points. Chaminade was also out-scored 25-11 in bench points.
The Silverswords embark on a four-game trek away from McCabe Gym starting on Tuesday when they face Hawai'i Pacific University at Moanalua High School Gym at 4:30 p.m. Following the HPU game, the 'Swords head to the Bay Area as they face Academy of Art on Saturday.
