HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (7-9, 0-3 Big West) opens up a big day of basketball on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center, squaring off with Long Beach State (2-15, 0-3 Big West) to start the first conference women's/men's doubleheader at home this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. between the Rainbow Wahine and 49ers.
 
The long ball was the centerpiece of Thursday's meeting with UC Irvine at home, as the Rainbow Wahine tied the program record for three-pointers (31). Although the Anteaters fought off Hawai'i's fourth quarter rally in the 74-67 loss, the 'Bows offense got back on track and spread the scoring around this week, recording four in double-digits. With an 8.3 PPG average, sophomore Makenna Woodfolk started the game on a scoring tear and has reached double-figures in back-to-back games. She finished with 12 points, despite sitting 16 minutes of the first half with early fouls. Junior Lahni Salanoa came through for the Rainbow Wahine late, hitting a trio of threes in the fourth to give UH the advantage and then its largest lead, registering 15 points on the night to boost her scoring average to 9.4 PPG. Senior Sarah Toeaina moves closer to 1,000 points on the year, averaging a team-high 14.1 points, with 12 coming against the Anteaters.
 
Featuring a very young roster, the 49ers are working through an eight-game losing streak that dates back to the beginning of December. LBSU averages just 59 points per outing and has been allowing 70 points on average, but scrapped out a 67-61 loss at a tough Cal State Fullerton team on Thursday. Although their defense grabs a league-leading 10.9 steals per game, LBSU has also proven susceptible to pressure, averaging a BWC second-most 18.1 turnovers per game. Freshman guard Shanaijah Davison has become a prominent scorer for LBSU averaging a team-high 11.3 PPG, but did not play at CSF. Freshman Ma'Qhi Berry has also averaged 9.1 PPG to go with a team-high 3.4 APG. Cecily Wilson (8.6 PPG) and Emma Merriweather (8.5 PPG) contribute to the scoring, but lead LBSU on the glass with 6.4 and 5.9 rebounds per game, respectively.
 
Hawai'i has a slight edge in the overall series, up 18-17 over the 49ers after winning the last meeting, 66-63, last March in Honolulu.
 
Next week, the Rainbow Wahine head back to the road, starting at UC Riverside (Jan. 18) before the rematch at UC Irvine (Jan. 20).
 
Game 17
Who: Hawai'i (7-9, 0-3 Big West) vs. Long Beach State (2-15, 0-3 Big West)
When: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 (5:30 p.m.)
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, O'ahu)
TV: Spectrum Sports
Live Stream: BigWest.TV (Hawai'i residents: Must be a Spectrum cable subscriber to access)
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM
Audio Stream: ESPN1420AM.com
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Promotions: Coca-Cola is the game sponsor and will distribute Star Wars cups at Gate A along with awarding great prizes throughout the night. Sign up for your chance to win at the sports marketing table at Gate A.  Take your very own selfie at the Coca-Cola Star Wars selfie station located on the concourse level (Ewa Side) of the Stan Sheriff Center.  H-Zone will be selling Star Wars t-shirts (while supplies last).