HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team opened their 2018-19 regular season Tuesday with a 64-51 loss to Saint Thomas Aquinas in the O'ahu Thanksgiving Classic at Saint Francis School Gymnasium.
Senior forward
Hunter Liftee (Kamuela, Hawai'i/Central Methodist Univ./Honoka'a) had a team-high 16 points in her first regular-season game as a Silversword while
Diamond Carter (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Olympic College/Kapolei HS) added 14. Liftee made 7 of her 12 from the floor.
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) had eight points for Chaminade (0-1) although she was just 4-of-13 and faced constant pressure all game from the Spartans defense. Castro, Liftee and Carter each totaled four rebounds while Castro also dished out five assists.
Julie Winnik came off the bench for STAC with a 6-for-7 performance from 3-point range and a game-high 20 points.
Buckets from Liftee, Carter and Castro helped the 'Swords build a 12-9 first quarter lead but Saint Thomas Aquinas (4-1) outscored Chaminade 10-3 to help build its 19-15 lead after the first.
STAC continued to add on in the second and third quarters, leading by as many as 20 early in the fourth. A pair of
Ellyonna Bankofier (Happy Valley, Ore./Clackamas) free throws followed by eight consecutive points from Liftee helped reduce the deficit to 60-51 with a minute remaining. But it was too little, too late for the 'Swords.
Despite shooting 37 percent to the Spartans' 36.5, the 'Swords were out-rebounded 51-30 and had just eight assists and two made 3-pointers (both by Liftee) to STAC's 12 and seven, respectively. However Chaminade forced 22 turnovers on the afternoon.
The Silverswords are back at Saint Francis School on Wednesday in their second contest of the O'ahu Thanksgiving Classic against Minot State. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m.
