Tamilo wills Rainbow Wahine to coach’s first victory

Khalilah Mitchell knew her first win as Rainbow Wahine basketball coach wouldn’t come easy.

Three overtimes, however? No complaints from her.

Hawaii junior Ritorya Tamilo made a buzzer-beater to force a second overtime and then banked in an 18-foot jumper with 33 seconds remaining in the third overtime to give Hawaii enough separation to hold on for a 93-89 win over Saint Mary’s on Friday in the opening game of the Bank of Hawaii Classic at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Playing in front of a crowd of 1,268 with approximately 620 students from grades 2-6, who all had to leave before the game ended because they had to catch buses back to school, the Rainbow Wahine (1-2) needed 2 hours, 37 minutes to secure their first win of the season.

“What an incredible game,” Mitchell said. “We have been talking about fatigue for a very long time, and they were able to push past fatigue, stay engaged in every overtime and execute … these girls are phenomenal.”

Tamilo, who led the country in blocks and rebounding after the opening weekend, finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against the Gaels (1-3).

Bailey Flavell, who played 53 minutes in the game, finished with 17 points and tied a career high with 10 rebounds.

Rebecca Moors played 43 minutes and finished with her first career double-double of 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Hawaii also got contributions off the bench from freshman Taryn Bond, who had nine points in the first half, and Zyriah Price, who finished with 13 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks and came up especially big in the overtime periods.

“Z coming in and getting all of those rebounds is unparalleled, but that’s what she does,” Mitchell said. “That’s her job. That’s what I expect from her.”

Hawaii trailed 66-61 with less than 50 seconds remaining in regulation when Tamilo scored on a putback to make it a one-possession game.

The Gaels were called for a travel in the backcourt with 42 seconds remaining and Kyra Webb, who missed Hawaii’s first two games, splashed a 3-pointer from the left wing to tie it at 66-all and force overtime.

NaTallia Urlacher, who led the Gaels with 26 points and four steals before fouling out in the third overtime period, put Saint Mary’s ahead 73-70 on a second-chance bucket with 14 seconds remaining in the first overtime period.

Tamilo was fouled on a rebound with less than two seconds remaining and made the first of two free throws. She intentionally missed the second and Saint Mary’s grabbed the rebound to seemingly put the game away.

However, the Gaels missed both free throws and UH called timeout with a second remaining. Flavell inbounded the ball from in front of the Hawaii bench and lobbed a perfect pass to the 6-foot-4 Tamilo, who laid it in before the buzzer sounded to keep the game going.

“That was a play literally for Bailey to just chuck it in the air,” Tamilo said. “It was a great pass. I trust Bailey to make that pass and it’s good that she trusts me to go get that, so a good chemistry piece.”

Hawaii led 78-75 late in the second overtime when Urlacher scored five straight points, including an and-1 layup, which she converted with 27 seconds remaining to put the Gaels ahead 80-78.

Hawaii called timeout and drew up a play for Flavell to get into the lane and score with 11 seconds left to force the third overtime.

Flavell and Moors each scored four points and Price converted a steal into a layup to put UH ahead 90-85.

Tamilo’s shot gave UH a seven-point lead, but Hawaii had to hold on. Price was whistled for a flagrant-1 foul with 10 seconds remaining after Saint Mary’s had made a 3-pointer. The Gaels made one of two free throws for the final points and missed a 3-pointer that ended it.

Hawaii outrebounded Saint Mary’s 55-34 and enjoyed a 32-7 advantage in points off the bench.

“I think in the overtime moments and in the timeouts, everyone was just locked in,” Flavell said. “Everyone was bought in still and I feel like that really helped us to get over the hump.”

Hawaii will close the tournament on Sunday against Loyola Marymount after a much-needed day off.

The Rainbow Wahine have played four overtime periods in their first three games.

“I’m still waiting on y’all to see us fly,” Mitchell said. “It is an entertaining unit.”