Laura Beeman called the San Diego Invitational a “really, really poorly organized” tournament after a day of competition in Viejas Arena. She wouldn’t, however, put that on Friday’s outcome for her team against Clemson of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Tigers connected on 13 of 19 3-point attempts and rode a big first quarter to a 72-58 win over the Rainbow Wahine on Friday.

Clemson (8-4) was swapped in for Georgia, the SEC opponent UH had expected to see, as San Diego State’s tournament experienced changes for dates and matchups as recently as last week.

More harmful to UH’s chances was the absence of guards Kelsie Imai and Jovi Lefotu, who were both hurt by falls to the court against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at home on Monday. Kira-May Filemu made her first start at guard in their place.

“We had plenty of time to scout, we had plenty of time to figure it out. I wish we would’ve had Kelsie and Jovi and Dani (Kujovic) going into an opponent like this,” Beeman told Spectrum News in a postgame phone interview. “Not healthy is not fun. I’m really proud of the girls who stepped up and did what they did.”

While UH (6-4) is grappling with a test to its touted preseason depth, it got Daejah Phillips back from a one-game absence from a hurt back. The senior scored two points with four turnovers in 19 bench minutes.

"We’ve had mostly lucky seasons where we stay healthy; knock on wood that continues (and) we get these guys back for conference, we’ll be OK," Beeman said. "There’s nothing you can do when you’re not healthy; just next woman up and you just go play."

Center Brooklyn Rewers came off the bench to score a season-high 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting. Forward Jade Peacock tied her best with three 3-pointers and post Imani Perez also scored nine.

Hannah Kohn hit five of seven 3-point attempts from off the bench for 15 points for Clemson while Summah Evans had a team-high 16 points. The Tigers lost 75-68 to Georgia on Thursday while UH was idle.

Despite that, Beeman said her team struggled to match Clemson’s pace in the first quarter, resulting in the 24-9 score through 10 minutes.

“Every time we had a mistake, they capitalized,” Beeman said. “That’s what a really good team is going to do.” She said she was glad her team got to face a power conference opponent.

The Wahine hit back in the second quarter, with MeiLani McBee hitting a buzzer-beating 3 going into the half as UH trailed 35-29 at the break.

UH drew within two in the third on a layup by McBee, but a 7-0 Clemson run to start the fourth quarter allowed the Tigers to separate for good.

The Wahine take on host SDSU (10-2) at 1:30 p.m. Hawaii time on Saturday. The Aztecs lost 89-80 to Stephen F. Austin in double overtime on Thursday and had Friday off.

Beeman and her staff and players will then split up over the Christmas holiday and reconvene in Santa Barbara, Calif., for the resumption of the Big West slate on Jan. 2.

Correction: A previous version had the wrong record for the Rainbow Wahine, who were 6-4 after the loss to Clemson.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.