University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Advances to Big West Tournament Semifinals The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought overtime victory over Cal State Fullerton, advancing to the semifinals of the Big West Tournament. The win extended their winning streak to nine games, marking a significant milestone in their postseason run. The game, played in Las Vegas, saw the team overcome early challenges and deliver a dominant performance in the final minutes. Head coach Laura Beeman expressed confidence in her team’s ability to handle high-pressure moments, emphasizing that the squad had prepared for such scenarios through rigorous practice. “I have all the confidence in the world in this team in what they do and how they do it. We practice these moments all the time,” she said. Despite the coach’s optimism, the game was not without its struggles. The Rainbow Wahine went scoreless for the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter, forcing them to regroup and adjust their strategy. The turning point came in overtime, where the Hawaii defense shut down Cal State Fullerton entirely. The visitors managed to score zero points in the extra period, a critical factor in securing the win. Beeman highlighted the importance of defensive play in championship contention, stating, “I do believe that between defensive and rebounding that is what wins championships. Offense puts people in the seats because it’s fun, but you have to be able to get stops. Defense has to travel and I think it’s traveled to Henderson.” Big West Freshman of the Year Bailey Flavell was instrumental in the victory, leading the team with 14 points. Flavell, who played her first March game in Las Vegas, praised the overwhelming support from Hawaii fans.#big_west_tournament #university_of_hawaii_rainbow_wahine #cal_state_fullerton #laura_beeman #bailey_flavell
UC Davis Aggies vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Prediction for Big West Tournament UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara enter the Big West Tournament with identical 18-13 overall records and 11-9 conference marks, but their late-season trajectories differ. UC Santa Barbara has lost four of its last five games, with each loss highlighting the fragility of its recent performance. The Gauchos fell in overtime to CSUN and Hawaii, dropped a four-point game at UC Irvine, and narrowly missed a buzzer-beater at home against UC San Diego. UC Davis, meanwhile, has a 2-3 record in its last five contests but has shown more offensive consistency, with recent games featuring scores of 92 at Fullerton, 78 at Riverside, 76 in an overtime win at Long Beach State, and 79 in an overtime game at Irvine. The Aggies’ recent games have also demonstrated better defensive resilience, allowing just 78.4 points per game in their last five contests. While their offense has remained steady at 77.6 points per game, their ability to create turnovers and capitalize on free throws has been a key strength. UC Santa Barbara, on the other hand, has struggled with turnovers and inconsistent shooting, scoring 61 against CSUN despite 40 three-point attempts, 60 at Irvine with 18 turnovers, and 63 against UC San Diego while committing 17 turnovers. Player performance further highlights the teams’ contrasting paths. UC Santa Barbara’s Aidan Mahaney remains its top scorer, averaging 19.4 points over the last five games, while Colin Smith contributes 14.8 points per game and CJ Shaw provides secondary scoring. The return of Miro Little, who posted 10 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in 34 minutes, has given the Gauchos a potential spark, though his impact remains to be seen.#uc_davis_agnies #uc_santa_barbara_gauchos #big_west_tournament #aidan_mahaney #colin_smith
