HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i women's basketball squad (8-11, 1-5 Big West) looks to sway some Big West momentum from the home crowd as it opens a two-game homestand on Thursday, welcoming the CSUN Matadors (10-9, 3-2 Big West) to the Stan Sheriff Center. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. for Thursday's Law Enforcement Appreciation Night.
 
The Rainbow Wahine returned from last week's California road swing with an 0-2 record, but Saturday's four-point setback at UC Irvine was a promising performance that UH hopes to build on back in Honolulu. After falling Thursday at UC Riverside, the Rainbow Wahine scrapped it out with the league's third-place team, UCI. In a game with 12 ties and eight lead changes, the Rainbow Wahine furiously battled back from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to trim the difference to three into the final minute.
 
Senior guard Sarah Toeaina has been the 'Bows' leader from the first whistle this season and is poised to become the 21st UH player to crest 1,000 career points, sitting just 10 points shy of the milestone. Toeaina averages a league fifth-best 14.7 PPG and has recorded double-figure performances in seven of her last eight outings, with a streak the past four games. She also ranks second among UH rebounders, averaging 5.4 RPG.
 
Sophomore Makenna Woodfolk's January output has been outstanding, reaching double-digits in four of the past five games, averaging 10.2 PPG/7.2 RPG in that stretch and fresh off a 10/10 double-double at UCI. Woodfolk leads the team on the glass with a 6.4 RPG average.
 
Working behind the efforts of reigning Big West Player of the Week Channon Fluker, the Matadors are tied for the third slot in the league, opening a three-game road swing at UH. A 6-4 junior center, Fluker has already surpassed 1,000 career points and is leading the BWC in scoring at 19.9 PPG – ranking 35th nationally. She also is 13th in the NCAA with both 11.7 rebounds and 2.94 blocks per outing. Despite losing a top scorer – guard Serafina Maulupe – Fluker and the Matadors receive solid performances from senior forward Tessa Boagni, who averages 12.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 1.8 BPG.
 
The Rainbow Wahine maintain a slight 8-7 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to 1982. However, the Matadors have quickly gained ground the past two seasons, topping UH the last four times out.
 
UH will continue at home on Saturday, facing UC Riverside for the second time in nine days. As the first game in the men's-women's doubleheader, tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center and will be Military Appreciation Night.
 
Game 20
Who: Hawai'i (8-11, 1-5 Big West) vs. CSUN (10-9, 3-2 Big West)
When: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 (7:00 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: American Savings Bank is the game sponsor on Thursday's "Law Enforcement Appreciation Night" and will distribute 250 recyclable tote bags and  award a $100 in gift card during the promotional contest at halftime. Fans can register to participate at the? sports marketing table located at Gate A. Coach Beeman will meet and greet with fans in the pregame at Gate A and the team will conduct a brief post-game question and answer session.