The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors’ impressive home streak came to a sudden halt Thursday night as the Cal Poly Mustangs stormed into Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center and handed Hawaii its first consecutive defeats of the season, 86-75. In front of a lively crowd of 2,535, the Mustangs delivered a statement win, fueled by a standout 24-point performance from Hamad Mousa. With this result, the Rainbow Warriors dropped to 18-7 overall and 10-5 in the Big West, tumbling from a first-place tie with UC Irvine into a second-place tie with Cal State Northridge. For Cal Poly, the victory was a major boost, improving their record to 12-16 overall and 8-8 in conference play.
This wasn’t just another game on the schedule. Hawaii entered the contest with the confidence of a team that had won ten straight at home and boasted a +287 scoring differential on the season, outscoring opponents by an average of 12 points. The Rainbow Warriors had been pouring in 79.8 points per game while allowing just 67.8, ranking them among the nation’s more balanced squads on both ends. But on this night, Cal Poly flipped the script.
The Mustangs, who had been outscored by four points per game on average this year, came out firing. They scored the first ten points of the game, immediately putting Hawaii on its heels. By the first timeout, Cal Poly led 15-2—a shocking start that silenced the home crowd and set the tone for what would be a dramatic evening.
Cal Poly’s offensive firepower was on full display. The Mustangs entered the game averaging 81.3 points per contest—good for 71st in college basketball—and they wasted no time showing why. Mousa, the Big West’s second-leading scorer at 20 points per game, was relentless, slicing through the Rainbow Warriors’ defense and knocking down shots from everywhere on the floor. He finished with 24 points, living up to his billing as Cal Poly’s go-to weapon. Peter Bandelj, fresh off an 18-point outing against UCSB, continued his strong play, and Cayden Ward chipped in with his usual steady production.
For Hawaii, it was a night of frustration. The Rainbow Warriors had just suffered a lopsided 84-60 defeat at CSU Northridge, and coach Eran Ganot’s squad was eager to bounce back in front of the home fans. Isaac Finlinson, who led Hawaii with 13 points in the previous game, tried to spark the offense, but the Mustangs’ pressure forced the Warriors into mistakes at critical junctures. The game was tied at 52 with 13:29 to play, but then four costly Hawaii turnovers fueled a decisive 9-0 Cal Poly run. Suddenly, the Rainbow Warriors found themselves chasing the game, and the Mustangs never looked back.
"We came out flat, and they made us pay," said Hawaii forward Isaac Johnson, who averages 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. "We fought back, but those turnovers killed our momentum." The Rainbow Warriors, who typically average 7.6 made three-pointers per game and shoot 32.5% from beyond the arc, struggled to find their rhythm from deep. Cal Poly, meanwhile, continued their season-long trend of hot shooting from distance, making the most of their 11 threes per game average.
Cal Poly’s win was more than just a statistical anomaly. It marked a turning point in both teams’ seasons. For the Mustangs, who had just defeated UCSB 89-79 behind Bandelj’s 18 points, it was a sign that this group—led by Mousa, Bandelj, and Ward—can hang with the Big West’s best when they’re firing on all cylinders. Their ability to withstand Hawaii’s second-half surge and respond with a 9-0 run spoke volumes about their resilience.
"Our guys stayed locked in," said Cal Poly head coach John Smith. "We knew Hawaii would make a run, but we kept our composure and executed when it mattered most." That composure was evident not just in Mousa’s scoring, but in the way the Mustangs moved the ball and attacked Hawaii’s defense. Ward, averaging nearly 14 points and 6 rebounds per game, was a force on the boards and knocked down timely shots to keep the Rainbow Warriors at bay. Bandelj’s steady hand at the point was instrumental in navigating Hawaii’s pressure and limiting turnovers down the stretch.
For Hawaii, the loss was a gut punch. The Rainbow Warriors had been one of the Big West’s most consistent teams all season, with key contributions from Johnson, Quandre Bullock (12.6 points, 5.7 rebounds), Harry Rouhliadeff (11 points, 4.8 rebounds), and Gytis Nemeiksa (10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds). But back-to-back defeats—first at Northridge, then at home to Cal Poly—have raised questions about the team’s ability to finish strong as the regular season winds down.
"We’ve got to regroup and get back to what’s made us successful," said Ganot after the game. "This league is tough, and you can’t take a night off. Credit to Cal Poly—they played a great game." The coach’s message was clear: with UC Santa Barbara coming to town on Saturday, there’s no time to dwell on the past. The Rainbow Warriors will look to right the ship in front of their home fans, who will also be treated to a special halftime ceremony retiring the No. 23 jersey of former UH guard Anthony Carter.
Looking ahead, the Big West race is as tight as ever. Hawaii’s loss dropped them into a second-place tie with CSU Northridge, while UC Irvine moved into sole possession of first place. Every game from here on carries postseason implications, and the Rainbow Warriors know they’ll need to tighten up their play if they want to reclaim the top spot and make a run in March.
Cal Poly, meanwhile, has proven they can play spoiler—and perhaps more. With Mousa leading the way and Bandelj and Ward providing steady support, the Mustangs have the firepower to make things interesting down the stretch. Their ability to start fast and close strong on the road against a top-tier opponent will give them confidence as they prepare for their own late-season push.
As the dust settles on a wild night in Honolulu, both teams are left with plenty to ponder. For Hawaii, the challenge is to regroup and avoid a prolonged skid. For Cal Poly, it’s about building on this momentum and continuing to defy expectations in the Big West. One thing’s for sure: with the postseason looming, there’s no shortage of drama left in this college basketball season.