HONOLULU – The University of Hawaii women's basketball team (8-12, 1-6 Big West) looks to reverse recent conference fortunes in Saturday's Big West rematch with UC Riverside (6-15, 3-4 Big West) at the Stan Sheriff Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. HT between the Rainbow Wahine and Highlanders, as fans are asked to join in a "Green-Out" as part of UH's Military Appreciation Night.
 
The Rainbow Wahine have hit a snag since the beginning of league play, including Thursday's finish in a game against CSUN. UH led a large portion of the outing with tough defense and steady scoring. The Matadors pulled ahead late in the second half, but the Rainbow Wahine pulled within three with time winding down. However, the shots weren't falling down the stretch for UH, and the Matadors pulled away to deal Hawai'i the 70-58 loss after hitting 7-of-10 free throws in the waning minutes.
 
Seeking redemption after a lopsided loss to the Highlanders in Riverside, Hawai'i is looking to use the advantages of the friendly confines of the Sheriff Center to its advantage. UCR is 1-8 this season away from its home in SRC Arena.
 
The most consistent threats for the Rainbow Wahine since the beginning of the New Year have been senior guard Sarah Toeaina and sophomore forward Makenna Woodfolk. Toeaina came away from the CSUN game with 18 points and seven boards, hitting her 1,000-point career milestone at the onset of the fourth quarter, logging her fifth-consecutive double-digit performance. Meanwhile, Woodfolk was steady for the 'Bows early on Thursday, racking up 17 points and four rebounds against the league's top center, Channon Fluker, recording her fifth double-figure game in the last six.
 
The Highlanders saw a three-game home winning streak extinguished on Thursday against UC Irvine. Guard Michelle Curry continues to lead the Highlanders with 15.1 points and 3.6 assists per game, just ahead of guard Lauren Holt, averaging 14.6 PPG and 1.9 APG. Against the Rainbow Wahine on Jan. 18, it was Holt who did the damage, scoring 24 to lead all, courtesy of landing four of her 10 field goals from beyond the arc. Curry logged 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists against UH. Although UCR typically only shoots 24.5 percent from three, that afternoon they hit on nearly 43 percent of long-range shots.
 
Hawai'i still holds a 7-5 edge in the series record, and the Highlanders have dealt UH losses in each of the last five meetings, including a the 79-57 loss in Riverside this year.

Next week, the Rainbow Wahine head back to the mainland to face Cal Poly (Feb. 1) and UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 3), facing both teams for the first time this season.
 
Game 21
Who: Hawai'i (8-12, 1-6 Big West) vs. UC Riverside (6-15, 3-4 Big West)
When: Saturday, Jan. 27, 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: Hawaiian Airlines is the game sponsor of Saturday's "Military Night" contest and will distribute 4,000 roster cards and award 30,000 Hawaiian Miles during the promotional contest at halftime. Sign up for your chance to win at the sports marketing table at Gate A. Saturday's contest is a "Green-Out" and fans are encouraged to wear green apparel.