HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team (10-15, 3-9 Big West Conference) will fly out to California for a two-game swing for the final time in the regular season. The trip will begin with the CSUN Matadors on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. HT inside the Matadome.

 

Even though the Rainbow Wahine are coming off a 68-56 loss to the BWC front-runner, UC Davis, UH showcased what it can do once they turn the pressure up defensively. Trailing by as much as 21 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, the Rainbow Wahine put together a 15-5 run over seven minutes of action to pull within 11 at 66-55. During the stretch, the 'Bows forced five missed shots, collected five defensive rebounds, and forced four Aggie turnovers. Senior guard Sarah Toeaina was the focal point offensively, registering her 10th consecutive game of double-digit scoring with 17 points. Toeaina ranks fifth in the BWS in points per game at 15.7 points. 

 

The Matadors rank as the No. 2 defense in the BWC, allowing just 64.5 points per game.  Entering Thursday night's game, CSUN has only won one game over its last four, but have won four in a row at the Matadome. Leading the way for CSU is the returning BWC Player of the Year in junior forward Channon Fluker. The two-time All-BWC First Teamer and former BWC Freshman of the Year is averaging a double-double on the season with 19 points and 12.2 rebounds, ranking her in the top three of the conference in both categories.

 

Thursday night will be the 17th all-time contest between the two programs. The Matadors evened up the series at 8-8 in their last encounter with the 'Bows on Jan. 25 at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH has dropped the previous five matchups with CSUN dating back to Jan. 23 of 2016.

 

UH will conclude its away schedule on Saturday (Feb. 24), as the 'Bows travel to Long Beach State University (4-22, 2-10 BWC), the tip is slated for 2 p.m. HT at the Walter Pyramid. LBSU currently ranks last in the BWC standings; the 'Bows took the first matchup in Honolulu on Jan. 13, 74-66.

Game 26
Who: Hawai'i (10-15, 3-9 Big West) vs. Cal State Fullerton (14-13, 7-6 Big West)
When: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 (5:00 p.m.)
Where: The Matadome (Northridge, California)
Live Stream: ESPN3
Audio Stream: gomatadors.com
Live Stats: Hawaiiathletics.com