The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team experienced a disappointing defeat in their recent match against UC Davis, ultimately losing 61-51 at the University Credit Union Center in Davis, Calif.
The Rainbow Wahine began the game with a strong performance, entering halftime with a 31-21 lead and even extending to a 13-point advantage in the third quarter. Nonetheless, the host Aggies staged an impressive comeback, ultimately tying the game late in the period and securing the lead in the fourth quarter. UC Davis’ exceptional 9-for-12 shooting display in the final 10 minutes brought an end to UH’s four-game winning streak.
Sophomore forward Imani Perez led the charge for the Rainbow Wahine, tallying 14 points and securing seven rebounds, including two successful 3-pointers. Guard Lily Wahinekapu contributed 12 points, including two 3-pointers, while guard Daejah Phillips added 10 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Despite a promising start which featured UH making their first four 3-point attempts, their performance waned in the second half, resulting in 7 for 25 shooting beyond the arc and an overall 29.6% shooting rate, with 6 for 28 in the second half. Conversely, UC Davis executed an impressive turnaround, shooting at a rate of 63% in the second half, including five successful 3-pointers.
UC Davis’ guard Tova Sabel led the game with a total of 17 points, with guard Victoria Baker scoring all 12 of her points in the second half. Additionally, guard Nya Epps and Evanne Turner contributed 10 and 11 points respectively, bolstering their team’s comeback.
Following UH’s loss and UC Irvine’s victory over UC Riverside, there is now a tie for first place in the competitive Big West regular-season race. The University of Hawai’i, alongside UC Davis, Cal Poly, and UC Santa Barbara, all stand at 9-4 in conference play, trailing the leaders by just one game.
The Rainbow Wahine began the game with a solid performance from 3-point range, sinking their first four attempts from behind the arc. However, they encountered a scoring drought in the second quarter, with UH maintaining the lead while holding UC Davis to just six points, resulting in a 10-point advantage at halftime. They began the third quarter with a glimmer of hope, but ultimately struggled to sustain their momentum, allowing UC Davis to secure the victory in the end.
Looking ahead, the ‘Bows will face Cal Poly on Thursday, February 15, and UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, February 17, at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Despite the challenging loss, the University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team is committed to regrouping and coming back stronger in the upcoming games as they continue to navigate the demanding Big West conference. #HawaiiWBB