The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team answered coach Jim Bolla's halftime challenge with a spirited comeback against visiting Washington State yesterday.

Brittany Grice scored a team-high 14 points, and Hawai'i received big plays from its reserves in a 68-63 victory over the Cougars to advance to today's semifinals of the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Hawai'i will play Wisconsin — an 85-73 winner over Idaho State yesterday — at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. In other first-round games, Texas A&M defeated Cal State Northridge, 76-52, and DePaul defeated Eastern Michigan, 64-49.

Bolla told his players at halftime Washington State "wanted it more than us."

"We knew that wasn't right," said Hawai'i reserve center Alofa Toiaivao, who finished with four points, four rebounds and three blocks. "We wanted it more than them."

Washington State outrebounded Hawai'i, 52-34, for the game, but shot 18 percent (6 of 33) in the second half.

The Cougars (2-1) led by as many as nine points, 44-35, in the second half, but the Rainbow Wahine (2-1) wouldn't quit, even after Grice fouled out with 6:42 remaining.

With the score tied at 57, Toiaivao hit the go-ahead layup on a pick-and-roll play with Amy Sanders.

After two free throws by UH's Tanya Smith, Toiaivao blocked a shot on the next possession and sent a long pass to a streaking Smith, who was fouled, and made one of two free throws for a 62-57 Hawai'i lead with 1:07 left.

A three-point play by Charmaine Jones closed Washington State to 64-61 with 33.8 seconds remaining, but Hawai'i sealed the game by hitting 4 of 6 free throws.

In the final five minutes of the game, Bolla switched from a man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone to get better rebounding position, and for a different look. The zone was a "good adjustment," Washington State coach Sherri Murrell said.

"We just tensed up," Murrell said. "We were in the double bonus, and we were trying to shoot outside shots. We didn't attack. We needed to get to the rim."

Hawai'i hit 17 of 20 free throws in the second half, after making just 8 of 19 in the first half.

Hawai'i reserves Dalia Solia, Amber Lee, Smith and Toiaivao combined for 22 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and five steals.

"We all work hard in practice," said Smith, of the UH post players. "We're all interchangeable."

Hawai'i's Janevia Taylor scored 13 points, Sanders 12 and Smith 12. Washington State's Jones scored 16 points, and Adriane Ferguson 10. Teammate Kate Benz added nine points and 15 rebounds.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.