HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team locked down on defense in the second half to rally past CSUN 63-54 on Saturday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (14-10, 8-6 Big West) trailed by as many as nine in the second quarter and went into halftime down 37-30. They went on a 16-2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to turn a four-point deficit into a 10-point lead and held on for their eighth win in the last nine games and their sixth straight home win.

The second-half surge followed a similar script to UH's 64-55 win in Northridge, Calif., on Jan. 24 when the 'Bows went on a 17-0 run between the third and fourth quarters to take the lead.
 
UH swatted away 10 shots in its third double-figure performance of the season and held the visiting Matadors  (8-15, 4-10) to 17 points in the second half on 24% shooting from the field to extend its winning streak in the series to 11.
 
Imani Perez sparked UH on both ends with a team-high 18 points and three blocked shots. UH forward Saniyah Neverson tied her career high with 17 points and set a season high with 12 rebounds in her first double-double in a Rainbow Wahine uniform. Neverson and center Ritorya Tamilo also had three blocks each. Guard Keiara Curtis added 10 points and four assists. 
 
CSUN forward Jite Gbemuotor scored 13 of her game-high 19 points in the first half and also had 10 rebounds. 
 
CSUN got out to a 5-for-6 start from the field and took a 13-6 lead with an 8-0 run in the first quarter. UH answered with a five-point surge but CSUN maintained the lead and went up 19-13 before Jade Peacock scored on a cut to the basket just before the buzzer.
 
The Matadors went up by nine early in the second quarter and shot 53% from the field in the period, including two 3-pointers while UH went 0 for 7 from long range in the first 20 minutes. Neverson's jumper fell through the net at the buzzer to cut CSUN's lead to 37-30 going into halftime.

Saniyah beats the buzzer! 🚨#GoBows #SISTAHHOOD pic.twitter.com/BHjM5RvWYa

— Hawai'i Women's Basketball (@HawaiiWBB) February 15, 2026

 
The scoring slowed in the third quarter and UH shut out the Matadors for the first six minutes of the period. Perez went on a personal five-point run with a 3-pointer and two free throws to give UH a 43-42 lead. Teyahna Bond scored on a drive and Neverson blocked a shot at the buzzer to send the 'Bows into the fourth quarter with a 45-42 lead.
 

Imani dials long distance! ☎️#GoBows #SISTAHHOOD pic.twitter.com/riziTmusVt

— Hawai'i Women's Basketball (@HawaiiWBB) February 15, 2026

Bond hit a 3-pointer in a 9-2 UH run to open the fourth and the 'Bows opened up a 54-44 lead when Curtis hit a jumper at the 7:14 mark. The Matadors would get no closer than six thereafter. 
 
 The Rainbow Wahine head back to California for a Central Coast road trip. UH plays at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo on Feb. 19 and at UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 21.