What began as a comfortable lead for the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team turned quite uncomfortable in the final seconds last night against visiting Nevada.

Pam Tambini scored a game-high 19 points and the 'Bows survived a late charge by the Wolf Pack for a 74-72 Western Athletic Conference victory.

A crowd of 318 watched Nevada — which rallied from an 11-point deficit with 3:34 remaining — get three opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final 20 seconds. Its final shot, Bre'Anna Henry's 3-point attempt from the right wing, was off the mark as time expired.

"It was a little scary," said Hawai'i forward Tanya Smith, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. "I think we relaxed for a little second. We just thought that we had it, and we realized that we didn't. But we never stopped fighting. Nevada is the same type of team, they never stop fighting."

Added Tambini: "It was hectic, but it was just a matter of us gathering ourselves. We just have to close the deal."

Hawai'i (9-12, 3-6 WAC) won its second straight game with a revamped starting lineup. Nevada (12-10, 6-3) dropped its second consecutive game after winning five in a row.

Hawai'i junior point guard Amy Kotani, freshman guard Megan Tinnin and senior center Brittany Grice got their second consecutive starts last night in a hard-fought, up-and-down game that saw 10 of Hawai'i's 14 players see action.

"This is the way we need to play," said Hawai'i coach Jim Bolla, who announced after the game that he will undergo a medical procedure tomorrow and will take a leave of absence. "We've got to get physical. We need to dive on the floor for loose balls and just get after it."

The 'Bows avenged an earlier road loss to the Wolf Pack this season — when they committed a season-high 33 turnovers in the 69-59 defeat — and got off to a promising start this month after going 2-6 in January.

Hawai'i had 29 turnovers last night but countered that with an unselfish passing game (20 assists) and by shooting a season-high 63 percent (29 of 46) for the game. The Pack shot 41 percent (13 of 32).

"Hawai'i made big plays when it needed to," Nevada coach Kim Gervasoni said. "They shot an incredible percentage and they shared the basketball really well. They found a way to win the game."

Grice had 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots for Hawai'i. Teammate Cassidy Chretien added nine points, five rebounds and three assists, and Janevia Taylor had eight points and six assists.

In the second half, Amber Lee's layup snapped a 47-all tie and sparked a 13-3 run by Hawai'i that put the 'Bows ahead 60-50 with 7:04 remaining. Taylor scored four points during the key surge.

Hawai'i pushed its lead to 68-57 on Taylor's 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining, but the Pack cut the deficit to 71-70 on Traci Graham's long 3-pointer from the top of the key with 48.9 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, Taylor drove the right baseline and was fouled on a shot attempt with 28.6 seconds.

"I just remember the coaches telling me, 'don't settle for the 3, don't settle for the 3,' " Taylor said. "I saw a gap in the defense and I was thinking just try to get a score. If she hits me, she hits me."

Taylor made the first free throw but missed the second, giving Nevada its first chance to tie or take the lead. Graham drove the lane but missed and Smith grabbed the rebound and was fouled with Hawai'i in the double-bonus.

Smith made the first foul shot, but missed the second. With Hawai'i holding a 73-70 lead, Nevada's Dellena Criner hit a layup and was fouled by Lee with 11.5 seconds left. After a Hawai'i timeout, Criner missed the free throw, and Smith grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 9.5 seconds left.

Once again, Smith made the first foul shot, but missed the second, giving Nevada one last shot.

"At least I made two free throws," Smith said. "That's the positive side."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.