Game Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (14-11, 8-5 Big West) return for their final homestand of the season, starting this Thursday with a pivotal conference game against Long Beach State (15-11, 7-5 Big West). The Rainbow Wahine currently sit alone in third place, just a game behind league-leaders, Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge. But, UH is just a half game in front of the incoming 49ers with three games to in the regular season. This week's tilt will be Hawai'i's "Play 4 Kay" game in honor of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund initiative to raise cancer awareness. There will also be an autograph session immediately following the completion of the game.
 
Last week, Hawai'i split its roadtrip, winning on a Morgan Mason buzzer-beater at UC Irvine, 55-54, but then falling late in the game at UC Davis, 52-56. The 'Bows are looking to rebound against Long Beach State who are coming in on a two game win-streak with an 85-72 win at Cal Poly and a 65-62 win at home over UC Davis.
 
Hawai'i may still be without the services of its leading scorer and rebounder Kamilah Jackson who is still recovering from an injury suffered against UC Riverside on Feb. 13. But in her stead, the team has rallied and come together to go 2-1 in her absence. Destiny King, Shawna-Lei Kuehu and Morgan Mason have all picked it up with Jackson out. King is averaging 11.0 points, seven rebounds, and 3.3 assists in the last three games. Kuehu has scored 10.7 the last three games but has done all the little things on offense and defense that makes the team strong. During this span, Mason has upped her game as well, averaging 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds. Ashleigh Karaitiana and Sydney Haydel have crashed the boards hard with Karaitiana averaging 7.7 and Haydel with 6.7 to help UH still out-rebound all of their last three opponents. Kalei Adolpho has also stepped up, grabbing a season and game-high 11 rebounds in UH's most recent game at UC Davis.
 
Long Beach State is lead by Raven Benton who has team-highs of 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Lauren Spargo is scoring 10.7 a game while Alex Sanchez is averaging 10.4 points. In UH's last game against the 49ers on Jan. 30, Jade Wilson posted a double-double with 24 opints and 10 rebounds. Benton added 17 points and Hallie Meneses chipped in with 12.

Game 26 Tipoff Notes
Who: Hawai'i (14-11, 8-5 Big West) vs. Long Beach State (15-11, 7-5 BWC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 27
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,200) - Honolulu, O'ahu
Television: Live on OCSports – Channels 16 (SD) and 1016 (HD). Jim Leahey (play-by-play) and Lori Santi (color) will be on the call.
Streaming Video: BigWest.tv
Radio: Live on NBC Sports Radio AM 1500 with Dave Kawada (play-by-play) and Tiff Wells (color analyst) calling the action.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming available at www.NBCSportsRadioHawaii.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be available at www.hawaiiathletics.com
Tickets: General admission-adult: $7; General Admission-Senior Citizen: $5; Students (ages 4-high school): $3; UH Manoa Students receive admission to regular season home games by presenting a valid UH I.D.
Promotions: It is "Play 4 Kay" night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine will be wearing pink shooting shirts and socks to recognize breast cancer awareness. Pepsi is the sponsor on Thursday and will award an iPad as well as a half-year supply of Pepsi during halftime. UHseason-ticket holders in all UH sports and members of the military receive 50% off adult tickets. There will be an autographsession with the women's team after the game in the arena concourse near Gate B. There will also be an autograph session with the women's team after the game in the arena concourse near Gate B. 
Head Coaches: Hawai'i head coach Laura Beeman is in her second season with the Rainbow Wahine. She has a 31-25 record at UH. At Mt. San Antonio, she recorded a 390-110 record in the junior college ranks. Long Beach State's Jody Wynn is in her fifth season and has a 66-85 record as a head coach.
Series Information: Long Beach State leads in its all-time series against the Rainbow Wahine, 16-10. The 49ers also have an 8-7 advantage over UH when playing in Honolulu. Earlier this season, LBSU edged out UH, 74-72 in the Walter Pyramid. Haydel led five UH players in double figures with 16 points.