It wasn't the prettiest victory, but the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team will gladly take its first win of the season.

Brittany Grice had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Hawai'i overcame 31 turnovers in a 64-58 victory over Eastern Illinois last night in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic.

"I think we all showed a lot of heart," Grice said. "It's still early in the season, and we still have those jitters. We just need to settle down."

Hawai'i (1-1) finished second in the three-team tournament behind No. 24 Southern California. USC (2-0) defeated UH, 80-71 on Saturday, and Eastern Illinois, 68-53, on Sunday.

A crowd of 308 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Eastern Illinois (0-2) rally from a 12-point, first-half deficit to tie the game at 53 on Megan Sparks' layup with 2:38 remaining.

A putback by Callie Spooner helped Hawai'i regain its lead, and sparked a 7-0 run for a 60-53 UH advantage. Grice sank a pair of free throws and Janevia Taylor added a 3-point play to cap the surge.

"I knew we needed to emphasize rebounding, especially offensive rebounds," Spooner said of her go-ahead putback. "I just tried to position myself to where the ball would come off the rim. The ball came right to me. I just kept (the ball) high, and put it back in."

For the game, Hawai'i outrebounded Eastern Illinois, 62-30, including 21-8 on the offensive glass.

"I think we fought our tails off to get it tied up," Eastern Illinois coach Brady Sallee said. "But that offensive rebound bug got us. We gave one up, and Hawai'i ended up hitting a pretty big shot."

In the final 48.3 seconds, Hawai'i hit 4 of 6 free throws — three by Taylor and one by Amy Sanders — to seal the game.

Sanders had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Taylor added 10 points for Hawai'i of the Western Athletic Conference. Megan Sparks scored a game-high 23 points for Eastern Illinois of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Hawai'i's 31 turnovers was the most committed under second-year UH coach Jim Bolla, topping a high of 26 last season. Eastern Illinois forced 31 USC turnovers on Sunday.

"I think it was just overexcitement," said Hawai'i's Pam Tambini, who finished with eight points and six rebounds. "It was the adrenaline."

Hawai'i started the second half with a 10-2 run for a 40-29 lead. Grice scored six points and Tambini four during the surge.

However, the Panthers outscored the Rainbow Wahine, 24-13, over the next 12 minutes to tie the score at 53.

"At the end, when (Eastern Illinois) tied it, we told each other to keep it cool," Tambini said.

Hawai'i tri-captain Brittney Aiwohi didn't play last night for the second consecutive game.

"The rotation right now doesn't work out for her," Bolla said.

Teammate Alofa Toiaivao played in her first game after recovering from two sprained ankles, Bolla said.

Hawai'i hosts Washington State in the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic on Friday. The eight-team tournament ends Sunday.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.