Game Notes

HONOLULU--The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (11-7, 3-2 Big West) opens a four-game conference homestand beginning with two pivotal games against Long Beach State (17-2, 4-1 Big West) and CSUN (14-6, 4-2 Big West). Hawai'i will take on the 49ers on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. and CSUN on Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. Saturday's game against the Matadors will follow UH's annual Alumnae Game at 2:00 p.m. The Rainbow Wahine will be retiring the jersey of the late Hawai'i great, Judy Mosley-McAfee that afternoon.

Hawai'i swept both of last week's road games at UC Davis and UC Irvine. Against the Aggies, the 'Bows rallied from 10 points down in the second half to defeat UCD, 58-53. UH was led by Destiny King, who for the second straight game, tallied exactly 17 points and nine rebounds to lead Hawai'i. Ashleigh Karaitiana added 13 points and six boards while Megan Huff came off the bench to pull down a game-high 13 rebounds. The Rainbow Wahine then routed UC Irvine, 85-50 on Saturday. In the game, UH made 10 3-pointers—the most since the 'Bows sank 10 against Tennessee Tech on Dec. 23, 2003 in a 64-59 loss in Honolulu. The Rainbow Wahine out-rebounded UC Irvine 53-32—the largest margin (+21) since last year's game at UC Riverside when the 'Bows pulled down 25 more boards than the Highlanders on the road. Hawai'i dominated in the post, outscoring UC Irvine 32-to-18 in the paint and in points coming from the reserve players, 37-to-16. Marissa Wimbley came off the bench to lead a balanced scoring attack by the 'Bows with a career-high 13 points. Morgan Mason added 12 points while Destiny King, Briana Harris and Connie Morris all added 11 points apiece. 

Shawna-Lei Kuehu, who has played as a reserve the last three games, continues to lead Hawai'i averaging 12.3 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. She also has a team-high 20 blocks. Ashleigh Karaitiana has picked up the pace and has scored in double-digits in two of the last three games. Karaitiana is averaging 10.7 points and 5.9 boards per game and leads UH with 23 made 3-pointers--including three key treys in UH's win at UC Davis. She also leads the 'Bows with 46 assists and 27 steals. Morgan Mason is scoring an even 10.0 points per game with 44 assists and 18 steals. Destiny King has been a key component in UH's last three victories. She's scored in double-figures in seven of the last nine games and is averaging a shade under 10 points at 9.9 per game. She leads UH with 112 rebounds. Megan Huff has made an immediate impact in the post after joining the basketball 'Bows following her rookie season with the women's volleyball team. Huff is second on the team averaging 6.3 rebounds per game to go with 5.9 points. At UC Davis, she corralled a career- and team-high 13 rebounds.

It is the first meeting against Long Beach State this season. Hawai'i is looking to avenge its 53-46 loss to CSUN in Northridge that came earlier this month. Megan Huff stepped up to tally a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds to lead UH who was missing leading scorer/rebounder Shawna-Lei Kuehu and one of the team's top reserves, Sarah Toeaina. CSUN's Ashlee Guay led the Matadors with 16 points while both Janae Sharpe and Cinnamon Lister added 12 points apiece.


Long Beach State 49ers (17-2, 4-1 Big West)
Long Beach State just had their 15-game win streak snapped by CSUN in a 67-52 loss at home on Saturday night. The 49ers continue to lead the Big West though with a 4-1 record. Raven Benton is averaging a team-high 11.8 points per game whle Devin Hudson leads the 49ers with 7.2 rebounds per game and 21 blocked shots. Hallie Meneses is the only player to have started all 19 games and is averaging 9.2 points per game and has dished out a team-high 80 assists and she can hit from long-range with 23 treys. Lauren Spargo leads the 49ers with 29 3-pointers made. Long Beach State leads the Big West with a +10.0 scoring margin and is No. 1 in scoring defense (59.3) and 3-point field goal defense (.238).

CSUN Matadors (14-6, 4-2 Big West)
CSUN is coming off a huge road win against Long Beach State. Reigning Big West Player of the Week Ashlee Guay leads a trio of Matadors who are scoring in double-digits. Guay is fifth in the league averaging 15.4 points per game with a team-high 31 steals. She leads the Big West with 93 assists. Janae Sharpe and Cinnamon Lister are averaging 12.9 and 12.4 points per game respectively. Sharpe has 21 steals, 69 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Lister has drained a team-high 44 3-pointers. Camille Mahlknecht leads CSUN with 8.2 rebounds and 43 blocked shots.


Game 19
Who: Hawai'i (11-7, 3-2 Big West) vs. Long Beach State (17-2, 4-1 Big West)
When: Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu, HI
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.
Promotion: First Insurance is the game sponsor on Thursday and will distribute 300 FICOH reusable tote bags and award $400 in gas gift cards throughout the game. Fans can register to participate at the sports marketing table near Gate A.
Television: UH's game against LBSU will be broadcast on OCSports statewide on channels 16 (SD) and 1015 (HD). Jim Leahey (play-by-play) and Lori Santi (color) will be handling the broadcast duties.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming will be available on bigwest.tv.
Radio: NBC Sports Radio AM 1500 will carry Saturday's game live with Dave Kawada (play-by-play) and Tiff Wells (color). Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming will be available on www.nbcsportsradiohawaii.com.
Livestats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com.
Head Coaches: Hawai'i's Laura Beeman is 45-35 in her third season at the helm of the Rainbow Wahine. Prior to UH, Beeman recorded a 390-110 record at Mt. San Antonio College (JuCo). Long Beach State is led by Jody Wynn who is in her sixth year with an 85-90 record.
Series History: The 49ers lead UH 16-12 in their series history. Hawai'i has won four of their last five meetings with LBSU. Last season, UH fell in overtive at the Walter Pyramid, 74-72 in overtime (Jan. 30, 2014). The 'Bows won their home game against LBSU 82-71 (Feb. 27, 2014) and then won again on the 49ers home court in the Big West tournament, 52-49 (Mar. 12, 2014).

Game 20
Who: Hawai'i (11-7, 3-2 Big West) vs. CSUN (14-6, 4-2 Big West)
When: Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) - Honolulu, HI
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.
Promotion:  First Hawaiian Bank is the sponsor of Saturday's contest and will award First Hawaiian Bank logo items and Zippy's gift cards at halftime. Fans can register to participate at the sports marketing table near Gate A. 
Streaming Video: Live video streaming will be available on bigwest.tv.
Radio: NBC Sports Radio AM 1500 will carry Saturday's game live with Dave Kawada (play-by-play) and Tiff Wells (color). Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming will be available on www.nbcsportsradiohawaii.com.
Livestats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com.
Head Coaches: Hawai'i's Laura Beeman is 45-35 in her third season at the helm of the Rainbow Wahine. Prior to UH, Beeman recorded a 390-110 record at Mt. San Antonio College (JuCo). CSUN's head coach is Jason Flowers who is in his ____
Series History: Hawai'i holds a 6-2 series lead vs. CSUN. In the first week of the conference season, the Matadors held off the 'Bows, 53-46 in Northridge. Megan Huff stepped up to tally a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds to lead UH who was missing leading scorer Shawna-Lei Kuehu and one of the team's top reserves, Sarah Toeaina. CSUN's Ashlee Guay led the Matadors with 16 points while both Janae Sharpe and Cinnamon Lister added 12 points apiece.