Game Notes

Santa Barbara, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (13-11, 9-4 Big West) embarks on its final regular season roadtrip this week as they look to maintain their share of the Big West Conference lead with two tough games at UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly on Thursday and Saturday respectively.
 
The Rainbow Wahine first head to UCSB where the 'Bows will try to avenge their only home conference loss of the season against the Gauchos. UC Santa Barbara held off Hawai'i, 51-50 on Jan. 26 and are just a game-and-a-half behind UH in the conference standings with a 7-5 mark and 11-13 overall. Then, the 'Bows will travel to Cal Poly, who are just a half-game behind UH and Pacific with a Big West record of 8-4. The Mustangs are tough to play at the Mott Athletics Center with a 9-3 home record. The 'Bows pulled away from Cal Poly, 61-43 in their first meeting in Honolulu on Jan. 24.
 
Hawai'i is coming off one of its biggest victories in recent history, defeating Pacific (19-6, 11-2 BWC) in a thrilling overtime win to capture a share of the Big West lead. Ashleigh Karaitiana drained a 3-pointer in the deep-corner with 14-seconds left for the win. Shawna-Lei Kuehu scored a team-high 17 points—including six of UH's nine points in overtime to lead the Rainbow Wahine. Kamilah Martin added 16 points and Monica DeAngelis scored 10 at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday night.
 
Kuehu was one point shy of tying her career high in points. She was an efficient 5-of-6 from the floor and 7-of-10 from the free throw line. Kuehu also added eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals off the bench. In overtime, Kuehu was clutch as Pacific did not have an answer for her on offense or defense as she banked in a pair of layups and was fouled on another attempt and sank the ensuing two free throws. She also wreaked havoc on defense forcing one steal with a blocked shot in the extra period.
  
As a team, Hawai`i held the Tigers—who were averaging 41 rebounds a game—to just 29, tying their season low, which came against UH in their first meeting earlier this season in Stockton. Hawai`i outscored Pacific in second-chance points 12-to-6 and in points off the bench, 28-to-24. But the Tigers edged out UH in the paint 36-to-32 and in points off of turnovers, 16-to-14. Hawai`i, who committed a season-high 27 turnovers (21 in the first half alone) in their first meeting at Pacific, took care of the ball with just 11 miscues tonight.
 
UCSB (11-13, 7-5 BWC) had their three game win streak snapped this past Saturday at home against Cal Poly, 56-65. Prior to that, the Gauchos had knocked off Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis and Pacific in a row. UC Santa Barbara is led by Sweets Underwood who is averaging 11.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Nicole Nesbit is right behind Sweets with 9.6 points per game with a team-high 70 assists and 21 steals. Kirsten Tilleman is second on the team with 7.4 rebounds per game.
 
Game 20 Tipoff Notes
Who: Hawai'i (13-11, 9-4 Big West) at UC Santa Barbara (11-13, 7-5 Big West)
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm (PST)
Where: The Thunderdome
Streaming Video: Streaming video will be available at www.BigWest.tv
Audio Webcast: An audio webcast of the game will be available at www.ucsbgauchos.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at www.ucsbgauchos.com
Coaches: UH head coach Laura Beeman is in her first season at Hawai'i with a 13-11 overall record and 7-4 mark in conference. Prior UH, Beeman made her mark at the junior college level where she enjoyed a phenomenally successful 15-year run as the head coach at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). There she led the Mounties to 10 conference championships and four California Community College State Championships—including a string of three straight from 2006-08. Beeman posted a 390-110 (.780) record during her tenure at Mt. SAC. UCSB Head coach Carlene Mitchell has a career record with the Gauchos of 28-29. Last season, she led the Gauchos to the Big West tourney title and an NCAA berth.
Series Record:  Hawai'i holds a 19-13 record over UC Santa Barbara. The Rainbow Wahine lost their meeting earlier this season in Honolulu, 50-51.