HONOLULU – Coming off a Big West victory at home on Saturday, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team heads back to California for a two-game road swing, beginning Thursday at UC Riverside. Tipoff on Jan. 18 is set for 5:00 p.m. HT at SRC Arena.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (8-9, 1-3 Big West) snapped a three-game losing skid in defeating Long Beach State, making the most of long-range shooting and a season-high 35 free throw attempts. Expanding impact from beyond the arc has been a major component of the last two games, as UH logged 20 made threes across two games last week; a win and a loss. Coming off her third straight game in double-figures, sophomore forward Makenna Woodfolk averaged 13 points and 8.5 rebounds last week. Meanwhile, junior Lahni Salanoa has lit it up from three, with a 13-point average and seven makes beyond the arc last week. Just 50 points from becoming a 1000-point scorer and always steady for Hawai'i, senior Sarah Toeaina is averaging 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds this season, while sophomore guard Julisaa Tago chips in 10.8 points.
 
The Highlanders (5-13, 2-2 Big West) have split both of their Big West weeks so far, and are coming off a 63-50 win over a scrappy Cal State Fullerton team on Saturday. UCR averages 64 PPG, but can catch fire, having scored at least 75 in three of the last six games. Senior guard Michelle Curry is the centerpiece for the Highlanders, leading UCR with 15.2 points, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per outing, scoring in double figures in 22 of her last 26 games. Her classmate, guard Lauren Holt averages 12.9 PPG and sophomore forward Skyler Lewis paces UCR with 7.6 RPG, as well as 9.1 PPG.
 
Hawai'i leads the series with a 7-4 edge, but the Highlanders have been making up ground lately, dealing UH losses in each of the last four meetings, including a 79-59 loss last Feb. in Honolulu.
 
After taking on the Highlanders, the Rainbow Wahine will remain in the area, preparing for the season's first rematch, heading to UC Irvine on Saturday (Jan. 20). The Anteaters broke away from UH last Thursday for a 74-67 UH loss at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Game 18
Who: Hawai'i (8-9, 1-3 Big West) at UC Riverside (5-13, 2-2 Big West)
When: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 (5:00 p.m. HT)
Where: SRC Arena (Riverside, Calif.)
TV: None
Radio: None
Live Stream: BigWest.TV
Live Stats: GoHighlanders.com