Hawai'i women's head head coach Jim Bolla could only look at the box score and shrug.

The Rainbow Wahine fell to Purdue, 90-74, yesterday in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic at Stan Sheriff Center, thanks in part to the Boilermakers senses-defying 3-point shooting in the first half.

Yet, final score aside, Bolla couldn't help but be encouraged by his team's spirited play after an embarrassing 71-48 loss to San Diego State a day earlier.

The 'Bows shot 54.2 percent from the field (42 percent from 3-point range), converted 14 of 16 free throws and committed just 15 turnovers after surrendering the ball 20 times in the first half of Friday's loss.

"That wins you games," Bolla said, with a bemused smile. "If I just looked at the numbers, I would have thought we won the game. But what Purdue did was unbelievable."

Indeed, led by Brittany Rayburn and Jodi Howell, the No. 19 Boilermakers shot 54.4 percent from the field, including a blistering 13 for 21 from beyond the arc — 10 for 13 in the decisive first half.

Rayburn nailed 6 of her 8 3-point attempts and finished with 22 points. Lindsay Wisdon-Hylton added 20 points to go along with team highs of eight rebounds and six assists, and Howell contributed 19 points, 15 on 3-pointers.

Sophomore guard Keisha Kanekoa led the Rainbow Wahine with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and four assists. Megan Tinnin, who entered the game as the only UH player averaging double figures in scoring, had 19 points. Dita Liepkalne added 12 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

The Rainbow Wahine fell to 0-5.

"We talked to the kids today and the analogy was that we were like a fighter," Bolla said. "We got knocked down on the mat (on Friday), and we had two choices we could make: We could get up and fight or we could stay down and get counted out. We answered the bell. If we play WAC teams like this, we'll be good.

"We're not happy that we lost, but that's why they're ranked," he said. "Nobody in the WAC will play like them."

After a disappointing overtime loss to No. 5 Stanford the day before, the Boilermakers set the nets afire in the first half yesterday. Howell and Rayburn combined to hit 8 of 11 3-point attempts, accounting for 30 of Purdue's 52 first-half points.

The Rainbow Wahine face Stanford today at 4 p.m.

"We're making progress, especially after (Friday), so we just need to keep moving in that direction," Bolla said.

Reach Michael Tsai at 535-2461 or mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

STANFORD 83, IOWA STATE 45

Sarah Boothe and Rosalyn Gold-Onwude scored 14 points apiece as No. 5 Stanford (5-1) routed No. 25 Iowa State (4-1). Whitney Williams scored 10 points for the Iowa State.

SAN DIEGO STATE 58, PRAIRIE VIEW 53

Paris Johnson scored 23 points and Jennifer Layton-Bailes added 15 points and 10 rebounds as San Diego State (4-2) edged Prairie View (1-5). Gaati Werena scored 12 points for Prairie View.