Game Notes

San Luis Obispo, Calif.—First place in the Big West is on the line as the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (14-11, 10-4 Big West) battles second-place Cal Poly (15-9, 9-4 BWC)—who is lurking just a half-game behind both UH and Pacific—on Saturday, Feb. 23 in a crucial conference match up. Cal Poly, the two-time defending Big West regular season champions, has won five of their last six games--including their last two at UC Santa Barbara and at home against Cal State Northridge. Most recently, the Mustangs avenged their double-overtime loss earlier this season at CSUN (Jan. 26) on Thursday night, knocking off the Matadors at home, 66-49.
 
The Rainbow Wahine have also won five of their last six game, including their last three. Their 10 wins in conference is their most since the 2001-02 season when former UH head coach Vince Goo guided the 'Bows to a 14-4 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. Overall, this year's 14 wins thus far is the most for Hawai`i since the 2006-07 season when UH, under Jim Bolla, went 15-14.
 
In conference action, the 'Bows have ramped up their play and it all starts with their defense and ability to rebound well. In both overall and Big West games, UH is ranked No. 1 in rebounding defense and rebounding margin with +7.6. The 'Bows are also tops in conference in 3-point field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to make just .243% of their treys. UH is No. 2 in scoring defense, allowing just 57.5 points per game and is No. 3 in scoring margin at +4.5.
 
The Rainbow Wahine continue to be led by junior Kamilah Martin who is averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game and 9.9 rebounds, just a shade under a double-double. Martin is amongst the league leaders in several categories in overall games. She is ranked No. 3 in scoring with 15.2 points per game; No. 2 in rebounding at 9.9 boards per game; No. 3 in field goal percentage (.502); NO. 1 in offensive rebounds with 4.0; and No. 3 in defensive boards with 5.9. Through UH's wins and losses, Martin has been consistant all season long, racking up 10 double-doubles this season and has scored in double-digits in 21 games this year with at least 10 rebounds in 13 games this year. She has been UH's leading glass cleaner in 21 games this year--including the last seven straight.
           
Last time out...
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a hard fought win at UC Santa Barbara, 54-51. The 'Bows are currenlty on a three-game win streak after defeating UC Davis and Pacific at home before the win at UCSB.  Martin led UH with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Shawna-Lei Kuehu and Destiny King both came off the bench to contribute 12 and 11 points respectively. Martin was 4-for-10 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free throw line—all of which came in the second half. Early in that second half, she scored six straight points for the 'Bows, giving UH their first five point lead of the game. She also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for UH. Kuehu was 6-for-12 in field goals with four rebounds. King came on strong in the second half, scoring nine of her points in the second half. She made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch, including one-of-two with six seconds left to help seal the win for Hawai`i.
 
Hawai'i out-rebounded the Gauchos (11-14, 7-6 BWC), 27-to-23 but UCSB outscored UH in the paint 10-to-6 and off turnovers, 18-to-12. Hawai`i bench, however outscored UCSB, 26-to-2. For the second time this season, the Rainbow Wahine defense did not allow a 3-point shot made--both times were against the Gauchos.
 
Game 26 Tipoff Notes
Who: Hawai'i (14-11, 10-4 Big West) at Cal Poly (15-9, 9-4 Big West)
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013
Time: 4:00 pm (PST)
Where: Mott Athletics Center
Streaming Video: Streaming video will be available at www.BigWest.tv
Audio Webcast: An audio webcast of the game will be available at www.gopoly.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at www.gopoly.com
Coaches: UH head coach Laura Beeman is in her first season at Hawai'i with a 14-11 overall record and 10-4 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. Earlier this season, Cal Poly head coach Faith Mimnaugh picked up her 200 career win at with the team's 72-63 win at Nevada. She is already has the most wins as a coach in Mustang history, amassing 210 wins to 243 losses to this point in 15-plus seasons.
Series Record:  Hawai'i is 1-3 against Cal Poly. UH defeated the Mustangs in Honolulu earlier this season on Jan. 24, 61-43.