HONOLULU — In its first appearance in SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center of 2025, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team broke away from UC Riverside in a 61-47 Big West victory on Thursday.
After falling behind in the opening period in their first home game in 24 days, the Rainbow Wahine (8-6, 2-2 Big West) outscored the Highlanders 22-8 in the second and led by as many as 22 in the fourth quarter in the opener of a two-game homestand.
UH center
Brooklyn Rewers tied her career high with three 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 15 points off the bench, hitting double figures for the fifth time in the last six games.
MeiLani McBee hit four from long range to match her season high and finished with 14 points.
Lily Wahinekapu added 10 points, five assists and three steals.
Jovi Lefotu also provided a spark off the bench with seven points on 3-for-4 shooting from the field and five rebounds.
The Rainbow Wahine controlled the boards with a 40-28 rebounding advantage led by guard
Mia 'Uhila's nine off the bench.
UC Riverside (7-8, 3-2) went 5-for-9 overall and 3-for-3 from 3-point range in the first quarter while taking a 15-10- through the first 10 minutes. The 'Bows held the Highlanders to 29% shooting over the remainder of the game and UCR finished at 33.3% shooting from the field, marking the 10
th time UH held an opponent under 40% this season.
UC Riverside's strong start from the field powered the Highlanders to a 15-8 lead with a 7-0 run in the first quarter. Rewers scored the final bucket of the period and UH opened the second with an 8-0 run, tying the game on a
Jade Peacock 3-pointer and moving ahead when Wahinekapu connected from the right corner.
The 'Bows extended the run to 15-2 when
Jovi Lefotu scored on a drive and led 28-17 when McBee knocked down a catch-and-shoot 3. UH hit six 3-pointers in the half and took a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
McBee hit her third 3-pointer of the game in a 7-0 UH surge to open the third quarter that extended the lead to 16. The 'Bows maintained that margin going into the fourth quarter and took their widest lead of the night at 58-36 on Rewers' third 3-pointer.
UCR's Kaylani Polk hit three 3-pointers in the final 4:11 and finished with a team-high 11 points for the Highlanders. Hannah Wickstrom finished with 10 points for UCR.
The Rainbow Wahine conclude their homestand by taking on Cal State Fullerton (2-13, 0-5) on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
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