The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team is set to host the American Savings Bank Rainbow Wahine Showdown this weekend at Bankoh Arena in the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Wahine, currently 4-0, will play Vermont on Friday, Nov. 28, Lindenwood on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Santa Clara on Sunday, Nov. 30. All games featuring Hawai’i are scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
This season marks the program’s best start since the 2000-01 campaign. Last week, Hawai’i won two close games in the Bank of Hawai’i Classic, improving their record to 4-0.
The tournament includes teams from several conferences: Vermont represents America East, Lindenwood comes from the Ohio Valley Conference, and Santa Clara is part of the West Coast Conference.
Hawai’i leads the Big West Conference in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense, holding opponents to a 31% shooting rate and allowing just 54 points per game. Freshman Bailey Flavell leads the team with an average of 11.8 points per game and played a key role in securing last week’s victories over LMU and Portland. Sophomore Ritorya Tamilo made her season debut during the recent classic and was named MVP after contributing significantly against Portland.
Newcomers have contributed heavily to UH’s offense this season; freshmen and sophomores account for nearly 80% of the team’s scoring through four games. Senior transfer Saniyah Neverson averages seven points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game, while freshman Kyra Webb has averaged 6.5 points off the bench.
UH is ranked No. 19 in this week’s Collegeinsider.com Mid Major Top 25 poll.
Following this tournament, Hawai’i will begin its first road trip of the season with games at UC Davis on Dec. 4 and Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 6 as they open conference play.
Friday’s matchup against Vermont will be the first between these programs in women’s basketball history. Vermont is led by head coach Alisa Kresge and features standout players Catherine Gilwee and Nikola Priede; Priede averages 16.7 points per game.
Saturday’s contest against Lindenwood also marks a first meeting for both teams’ women’s basketball programs. Lindenwood head coach Amy Eagan recently earned OVC Coach of the Year honors; Ellie Bruggemann leads her squad with an average of sixteen points per game.
On Sunday, UH faces Santa Clara for their eleventh overall meeting; Santa Clara holds a slight edge in recent contests but trails overall in series history against UH.
Tickets are available at etickethawaii.com (season tickets and single-game options). Games will be broadcast locally on ESPN Honolulu (Friday/Sunday) or CBS 1500 (Saturday), with live streams available via ESPN+.
