The University of Hawai'i basketball programs are making headlines this week, with both the women's and men's teams taking center stage in pivotal moments of their respective seasons. The Rainbow Wahine, led by a dynamic group of underclassmen and seasoned veterans, pulled off a statement win over Cal Poly on Thursday night in San Luis Obispo, California. Meanwhile, the men's team is gearing up for a high-stakes clash against Cal Poly, with the added excitement of a historic jersey retirement ceremony for former star Anthony Carter.
Thursday night at the Mott Athletics Center saw the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team put on a show, dominating Cal Poly with a 71-54 victory. The Rainbow Wahine, now boasting a 15-10 overall record and 9-6 in Big West Conference play, used a blistering 20-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to seize control. This surge not only propelled them to their ninth win in the last ten games but also clinched a coveted spot in the upcoming Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship, set for March 11-14 in Henderson, Nevada.
Early on, it looked like Cal Poly might have the upper hand. The Mustangs opened the contest with a 6-0 run, putting the Rainbow Wahine on their heels. But Hawai'i responded with poise and precision. Saniyah Neverson got the 'Bows on the board with a three-point play, and from there, the momentum shifted. Down 14-7, senior Imani Perez buried a crucial three-pointer, sparking a 12-0 run to close the first period. The Rainbow Wahine led 19-14 heading into the second quarter, and they never looked back.
Hawai'i's offense was firing on all cylinders. Freshman Bailey Flavell led the charge with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting, showcasing her versatility with seven rebounds and four assists—without a single turnover. She was joined in double figures by Perez, who tied her career high with four three-pointers en route to 14 points, and by Neverson, who also finished with 14, dominating the paint. Ritorya Tamilo rounded out the balanced attack with 13 points, going an efficient 5-for-6 from the field and converting all three free throws.
"We just kept pushing, sharing the ball, and playing our game," Flavell said after the win, according to team sources. "Everyone contributed, and that's what makes us tough to beat right now."
The Mustangs' Charish Thompson did her best to keep Cal Poly in the contest, pouring in a game-high 22 points. But the Rainbow Wahine's depth and relentless pace proved too much. After leading by as many as 17 in the second quarter, the 'Bows weathered a late Cal Poly push to take a 33-24 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw Hawai'i come out scorching, hitting their first six shots. Neverson sparked the offense with five quick points, and Perez continued her hot shooting, draining her third and fourth three-pointers to stretch the lead to 20. By the start of the fourth quarter, Flavell's third three-pointer capped a 13-0 run, and the 'Bows led by a commanding 28 points with just over five minutes to play. The final buzzer sounded on a 71-54 win, marking Hawai'i's 10th consecutive victory over Cal Poly and a clean sweep of the regular-season series.
With the win, the Rainbow Wahine secured their spot in the Big West tournament and now sit just a half-game behind UC Santa Barbara for fifth place, and one and a half games back of Cal State Fullerton for fourth. The road trip continues Saturday, February 21, as Hawai'i faces UC Santa Barbara at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, with tipoff set for noon Hawai'i Time (2 p.m. Pacific).
"Clinching our spot in the championship is huge, but we're not satisfied yet," head coach Laura Beeman emphasized after the game. "We want to keep building momentum heading into March."
As the women's team celebrates their playoff berth and looks to climb the standings, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball squad is preparing for a critical matchup of their own. On February 19, 2026, the Rainbow Warriors are set to face an up-tempo Cal Poly team, with coaches stressing the importance of bringing their best defensive effort. The stakes are high as both teams jockey for position in the tightly contested Big West Conference.
But Saturday's game at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center holds even greater significance for the program and its fans. Former University of Hawai'i star Anthony Carter, a beloved figure in the program's history, will have his jersey retired during a special halftime ceremony. Carter, who enjoyed a stellar collegiate career before moving on to the NBA, spoke to the media at a press conference at the Outrigger Reef Hotel on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
"This is a dream come true," Carter told reporters. "To have my jersey hanging in the rafters where it all started—it means everything to me." He went on to thank his former coaches, teammates, and the Hawai'i community for their unwavering support. "I wouldn't be here without them. Hawai'i will always be home."
The ceremony is expected to draw a packed house, with fans eager to honor Carter's legacy and cheer on the current Rainbow Warriors as they battle Cal Poly. The men's squad, aware of the occasion's gravity, is determined to put on a show for the home crowd while keeping their focus on the task at hand—containing a Cal Poly team known for its fast pace and aggressive offense.
"We know Cal Poly likes to push the tempo, so our defense has to be locked in from the start," said head coach Eran Ganot in the team's pregame briefing. "It's a big night for the program, and we want to make it memorable for our fans and for Anthony."
Both basketball programs find themselves at critical junctures as the regular season winds down. For the Rainbow Wahine, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum and improving their seeding for the upcoming Big West tournament. For the Rainbow Warriors, the challenge is to rise to the occasion—both in honoring a legend and in their pursuit of postseason success.
Saturday promises to be a day of celebration and high drama for University of Hawai'i basketball. With the women's team surging into the postseason and the men's team set to honor one of its all-time greats, fans in Honolulu and beyond have plenty to cheer about as the action unfolds.