Game Notes

LONG BEACH, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team heads off on its longest roadtrip of the year, spanning four games in 11 days starting this Thursday, Jan. 30 at Long Beach State and Saturday, Feb. 1 at Cal State Northridge. Tipoff vs. the 49ers at the Walter Pyramid is at 7:00 p.m.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (10-7, 4-1 Big West) are currently alone in second place in conference with a 4-1 record and have won their last four straight games, including a decisive 85-59 victory over UC Irvine this past Saturday. Against the Anteaters, five Rainbow Wahine scored in double-figures—led by senior utility player Shawna-Lei Kuehu's 18 points. The four consecutive wins is UH's longest win streak since the 2006-07 season and the 4-1 conference start is the program's best since the 1999-2000 squad.
 
Hawai'i continues to be lead by Kamilah Jackson who is averaging 16.2 points and 10.1 rebounds. Kuehu has moved into second just a skosh ahead of Ashleigh Karaitiana in points. Kuehu is now averaging 10.6 points per game after notching double-digit points in the last four straight games. Kuehu also leads UH with 18 blocked shots while contributing 4.5 rebounds a game. Karaitiana is scoring 10.4 points a game and leads Hawai'i with 19 treys made this season. Destiny King is also having a solid season and has started the last 11 games. King is scoring 7.9 points per game with a team-high 45 assists. She is also second on the team with 5.7 rebounds a game.
 
Hawai'i's defense and rebounding has stepped up in conference action. In Big West games, UH ranks first in conference in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding defense and rebounding margin. In UH's four conference wins, Hawai'i has held all their opponents below their season average (-14.6 points on average) and in 12-of-17 games this season, the Rainbow Wahine have out-rebounded their counterparts—including their last six straight games.
 
The 'Bows now face the toughest part of their schedule with games at LBSU, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. The 49ers are 10-9 overall, 2-3 in conference and are looking to snap their two-game losing streak after falling to Cal Poly at home in overtime and to Cal State Northridge. Long Beach State has three players averaging in double-figures, led by Raven Benton's 13.6 points per game. She also leads her squad with 5.4 rebounds a game. Alex Sanchez and Lauren Spargo are averaging 10.4 and 10.1 points respectively. Hallie Meneses is No. 6 in the league with 75 assists while Anna Kim is ranked second in the BWC with 32 steals.
 
Game 18 Tipoff Notes
Who: Hawai'i (10-7, 4-1 Big West) at Long Beach State (9-10, 2-3 Big West)
When: Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 pm (PST)
Location: Walter Pyramid – Long Beach, Calif.
Live Video Stream: Watch the game on the internet at www.longbeachstate.com
Live Audio Stream: Listen to the game on the internet at www.longbeachstate.com
Livestats: Live in-game stats available at www.longbeachstate.com
Head Coaches: Hawai'i head coach Laura Beeman is in her second season with the Rainbow Wahine. She has a 227-21 record at UH. At Mt. San Antonio, she recorded a 390-110 record in the junior college ranks. Long Beach State head coach Jody Wynn 51-74 in five seasons.
Series History: Long Beach State leads in the all-time series with Hawai'i, 15-10, but the Rainbow Wahine swept last season's series, winning 65-57 in Honolulu and 61-54 in Long Beach.