The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to defeat Kansas State, 71-61, last night in the Duel in the Desert tournament at Las Vegas.

Dita Liepkalne had 15 points and eight assists, and Julita Bungaite added 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Rainbow Wahine (4-5).

Breanna Arbuckle contributed 12 points and six rebounds and Leilani Galdones came off the bench to add 13 points, including 11 in the second half when UH outscored Kansas State, 49-25.

Brittany Chambers scored 20 points and Shalin Spani added 17 for the Wildcats (4-6), who surged to a 30-10 lead with 7:09 left in the half. Kansas State, which hit 10 of 20 3-point attempts in the half, led 36-22 at intermission.

The Rainbow Wahine held the Wildcats to 2-of-11 shooting from 3-point range in the second half.

Hawai'i began its comeback with a 15-4 run to start the second half, closing to 40-37 with 15:10 remaining.

Liepkalne's two free throws tied it 43-43 with 10:53 to play, and Galdones hit back-to-back 3-pointers — the first putting UH ahead to stay 50-49 and second making it 53-49 with 7:17 to play.

Bungaite scored six points and Keisha Kanekoa five down the stretch to help smother any Kansas State comeback.

UH plays host UNLV tonight at 5:30 p.m. HST.