Rather than dwell on its recent struggles, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team remains positive.

"There's nowhere to go but up," Hawai'i senior wing Pam Tambini said yesterday as her team prepared for a two-game Western Athletic Conference homestand against Idaho tonight and Boise State on Saturday at Stan Sheriff Center.

Hawai'i, Idaho and San Jose State share last place in the WAC. Hawai'i (6-10, 0-4) has lost five consecutive games; Idaho (3-12, 0-4) has dropped eight straight.

Hawai'i holds a 4-0 series advantage against Idaho, including 3-0 in Honolulu.

"Someone has to win, hopefully it's us," said Tambini, the team's co-captain.

Hawai'i — projected for a top-four finish in the nine-team league — is off to its worst conference start ever.

In fact, counting last year's regular-season finale at Louisiana Tech, Hawai'i has lost five straight regular-season WAC games, tying a school record set in 2004.

"I think we just need a win for our confidence," said junior forward Tanya Smith, who is averaging 16.0 points and 11.4 rebounds, while shooting 58 percent from the floor in her last five games.

Hawai'i has played well in stretches recently, but has hurt itself with turnovers.

It had 57 turnovers on its two-game road trip last week, including a season-high 33 in a 69-59 loss at Nevada on Jan. 11.

"Runs are created by turnovers," Hawai'i coach Jim Bolla said. "If you can cut down on your turnovers, that stops the run."

Hawai'i showed improvement at Fresno State on Saturday, rallying from a 13-point first-half deficit, only to be outscored 12-6 in overtime in a 75-69 loss. Hawai'i finished with 24 turnovers, but had just eight after the break.

"We have the skill," Smith said. "We're just not playing up to our potential."

Junior center Iwona Zagrobelna is scheduled to make her second consecutive start and third overall tonight in place of senior center Brittany Grice, who is recovering from a herniated disc in her back.

Grice, a preseason all-WAC first-team pick by conference coaches, will rotate with Zagrobelna.

"We're going to stay with that right now," Bolla said.

Hawai'i will need solid play from its post players against Idaho's super freshman Katie Madison. The 6-foot center leads the WAC in scoring at 19.5 points per game. She also averages 9.3 rebounds.

Hawai'i is projected to start guards Janevia Taylor (12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game) and Saundra Cariaga (7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg), forwards Smith (8.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.0 apg) and Tambini (13.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 apg) and center Zagrobelna (4.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

NOTES

Hawai'i senior wing Dalia Solia has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, according to Bolla, who did not elaborate on the infraction. Solia was suspended following Hawai'i's 64-53 home loss to Louisiana Tech, Jan. 6, and missed the team's two road losses last week. ... Former player Amy Sanders returned this semester to finish school. She has played pro ball in Sweden and is scheduled to participate in the WNBA's free agent camp in April. In 2005, Sanders starred in one of Hawai'i's greatest victories, hitting the game-winning shot in a 79-78 overtime victory over then three-time defending WAC champion Louisiana Tech. She finished the game with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.