Nov. 25, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season, the Western Washington University women's basketball team celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday by making its first trip to Hawaii.

There it will meet BYU-Hawaii on Friday (8:30 p.m. PT) and University of Hawaii Hilo on Saturday (8:30 p.m. PT). Both games will be played at Konawaena High School at Kona, Hawaii.

The 3-1 Vikings are looking for the tropic heat to warm up their shooting. They shot just 29.5 percent (18-of-61) from the field in a 60-52 home loss to UC San Diego last Saturday.

Western is led by 6-foot-1 senior forward Jessica Summers, a transfer from University of Idaho who already has been named to two all-tournament teams. She is averaging 13.3 points and 11.3 rebounds, both team-leading figures.

Also scoring double-figure points for the Vikings is sophomore guard Amanda Dunbar, who has come off the bench to average 11.5 points on 42.9 percent 3-point shooting (9-of-21). She also has a team-best 3.8 assists per game.

The trip will be a homecoming for Western senior point guard India Soo, who is from Kamuela, Hawaii. She is averaging 8.3 points on team-leading 52.2 percent (12-of-23) floor accuracy.

BYU-Hawaii is 2-1, defeating Whitworth, 83-64, and splitting a pair of contests with Oakland City University IN (won 75-70 and lost 73-67). The Seasiders were beaten by just six points, 66-60, in an exhibition with NCAA Division I University of Hawaii.

Leading BYU-Hawaii is 6-0 senior center Latoya Wily, who is averaging 22.0 points and 12.3 rebounds. In Monday's loss to Oakland City, Wily had 30 points and 11 rebounds, following a 28-point, 18-rebound effort in the win over the Lady Oaks.

Hawaii Hilo is 2-0 with both victories being over Chaminade, 78-52 and 87-56. Those have been without its top returning player, 5-10 senior forward Sheila Azevedo, who was a first-team Pacific West Conference all-star last season.

Stepping up for the Vulcans have been 5-6 junior forward Jessica Hanato, who is averaging 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists; and 5-3 junior guard Hina Kimitete, a second-team all-league pick who is scoring at a 13.5 clip.