Hawaii basketball updates: UC Irvine rivalry takes center stage across the court

IRVINE: Hawaii pushed Big West frontrunner UC Irvine to the brink Saturday night, but a late basket and one final defensive stand lifted the Anteaters to a 50-47 win over the Rainbow Wahine at the Bren Events Center.

The matchup unfolded as a grind-it-out affair, with both teams leaning heavily on defense. Hawaii held the lead after each of the first three quarters and succeeded in slowing down the league’s highest-scoring offense, keeping UC Irvine more than 20 points below its season average. Still, a decisive run midway through the fourth quarter gave the Anteaters just enough breathing room to escape with the victory and remain perfect in conference play.

The setback dropped Hawaii to 6-9 overall and 0-5 in the Big West, while UC Irvine improved to 14-2 and extended its winning streak to 14 games.

Freshmen Keiara Curtis and Bailey Flavell continued to shine for the Rainbow Wahine, accounting for 25 of the team’s 47 points. Flavell finished with a team-high 13 points and added six assists while committing just one turnover. Curtis knocked down four three-pointers for 12 points, reaching double figures for the fifth consecutive game.

Imani Perez delivered a strong all-around effort, scoring 10 points, pulling down seven rebounds and recording two blocks as part of a stout defensive showing that featured eight team blocks.

UC Irvine, which entered the night averaging 73.5 points per game, was limited to 29.8 percent shooting from the floor, its second-lowest output of the season. Hunter Hernandez led the Anteaters with 20 points, while Jada Wynn contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Hawaii set the defensive tone early, blocking seven shots in the first half and holding UC Irvine to just 21.4 percent shooting before the break to take a 21-18 halftime lead. After a sluggish start to the third quarter, the Rainbow Wahine regrouped behind timely shooting and carried a 35-33 advantage into the final period.

UC Irvine surged ahead late in the fourth, but Hawaii stayed within striking distance until the final seconds. An offensive rebound led to a crucial basket for the Anteaters in the closing moments, and the Rainbow Wahine’s last-second attempt fell short.

Hawaii returns home for a two-game homestand, beginning Thursday, Jan. 15 against Cal Poly, followed by a Saturday matchup with UC Santa Barbara. Both games tip at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

MEN’S SPOTLIGHT: UH, UC IRVINE SET FOR HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN

While the Rainbow Wahine wrapped up a tight road battle, anticipation continues to build on the men’s side as Hawaii prepares for a pivotal Big West clash with UC Irvine. Saturday’s matchup carries early-season conference implications, with the winner emerging atop the league standings.

UC Irvine has long been a measuring stick for the Rainbow Warriors during Hawaii’s time in the Big West, which concludes after this season. The rivalry has been shaped not only by close games, but also by the ongoing chess match between head coaches Eran Ganot and Russell Turner, a storyline that stretches back more than a decade.

Hawaii’s most notable success against the Anteaters came during Ganot’s first season in 2015-16, when the Rainbow Warriors swept the series on the way to the program’s lone Big West title and NCAA Tournament win. Other memorable moments include an overtime victory in an empty Stan Sheriff Center during the 2021 COVID-19 season and a nationally televised senior-night win in 2023.

Despite those highlights, UC Irvine has largely controlled the series, owning a 24-9 advantage and entering Saturday riding four straight double-digit victories over Hawaii.

The Rainbow Warriors (11-3, 3-1 Big West) return home after an 83-73 road loss to UC San Diego and will benefit from a lighter week, with Saturday marking their only game. UC Irvine (11-5, 4-0) faces Long Beach State on Thursday before traveling to Honolulu, giving Hawaii a slight scheduling edge.

Ganot expects a strong crowd for what will be the Anteaters’ final visit to the Stan Sheriff Center as Big West opponents, noting the importance of student and fan support as the spring semester begins. Senior forward Harry Rouhliadeff echoed that sentiment, emphasising the physical nature of the rivalry and the added motivation that comes with playing a familiar foe.