MAKAWAO, Maui — The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team saw a comeback bid thwarted by Montana State and the Rainbow Wahine fell to the Bobcats 72-56 to close the Maui Classic on Saturday on the campus of Seabury Hall in Makawao, Maui.
 
The Rainbow Wahine trailed by 17 at halftime and closed to within five early in the fourth quarter. But the Bobcats went on an 11-0 run midway through the final period to reclaim control and both teams finished at 1-1 for the tournament.
 
UH closed 2025 at 6-6 overall and will have a Christmas break before resuming Big West play on New Year's Day at home.
 
UH freshman Keiara Curtis led the Rainbow Wahine with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. She finished the weekend with a team-high 27 points while shooting 56% with four 3-pointers during UH's two-day stay on Maui.
 
Fellow freshman Bailey Flavell hit two 3-pointers and finished with 11 points. Jade Peacock and Kyra Webb added seven points each.
 
Taylee Chirrick led all scorers with 26 points and Addison Harris finished with 20 for Montana State. (7-4). Montana State entered the week leading the nation with 16.8 steals per game and the Bobcats came up with 17 on Saturday while forcing 29 UH turnovers. Montana State built a 31-11 advantage in points off of turnovers and outscored UH 50-22 in the paint.
 
The teams played even through the first 10 minutes and went into the second period tied at 11-11. Montana State went on a 21-1 run fueled by a flurry of UH turnovers and took a 34-17 lead on a 3-pointer by Jamison Phillip followed by a steal and layup. UH committed 16 turnovers in the first half, nine coming on Montana State steals, and the Bobcats built a 13-2 advantage in points off of turnovers.
 
Montana State led 46-28 with three minutes left in the third quarter when Izzy Forsyth and Jade Peacock hit 3-pointers and Curtis scored twice in the final minute in a 10-1 UH run to cut the deficit to single digits heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Forsyth opened the final period with another 3-pointer and UH was down 48-43 when Curtis bolted downcourt for a layup with 8:53 left. Montana State called a timeout and hit five consecutive shots, including two 3-pointers by Harris to extend the lead back to 62-47. Montana State scored 16 points off of turnovers in the fourth quarter on its way to the win.
 
The Rainbow Wahine will ring in 2026 with a two-game Big West homestand starting on New Year's Day against UC Riverside at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. UH will also face UC San Diego on Jan. 3 as the 'Bows resume their final season in the Big West.

Maui Classic All-Tournament Team
Kennedie Shuler (MVP), Oregon State
Jenna Villa, Oregon State
Keiara Curtis, Hawai'i
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Ify Nwaobi, Liberty