The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team lost a close game to Cal State Fullerton, 82-80, on Saturday at Titan Gym in Fullerton, California. The Rainbow Wahine trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter but rallied with a 15-2 run that included key three-pointers from Kyra Webb and Kira-May Filemu.
The game was tied four times in the final two minutes. Bailey Flavell tied it at 80-80 with a spinning jumper in the paint with 30 seconds left. Cal State Fullerton’s Nicole Steiner drew a foul on a drive and made two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Hawai’i was unable to attempt a final shot before time expired.
Flavell led Hawai’i with 17 points and hit four three-pointers for the second consecutive game. Webb scored 15 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Imani Perez recorded her second career double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, also tying her career high with five blocked shots. Ritorya Tamilo contributed 11 points on efficient shooting.
Hawai’i shot a season-high 50% from the field, making nine of their twenty attempts from beyond the arc and converting fifteen of eighteen free throws. However, Cal State Fullerton forced Hawai’i into committing 27 turnovers, which resulted in a significant advantage as the Titans scored 31 points off those turnovers and collected 19 offensive rebounds for an additional 18 second-chance points.
Cristina Jones led Cal State Fullerton with six steals and scored a team-high 22 points on six-for-eight shooting. Dylan Swindle added 19 points while Steiner and Maddy Tauro each finished with fourteen.
Cal State Fullerton pressured Hawai’i into fourteen first-half turnovers but the Rainbow Wahine kept it close behind Flavell’s outside shooting and Tamilo’s inside presence, trailing by just one point at halftime. In the third quarter, Cal State Fullerton capitalized on turnovers to pull ahead by ten entering the final period.
Despite taking a late lead after Webb’s scoring burst in the fourth quarter, Hawai’i could not hold off Cal State Fullerton’s comeback. The loss ended Hawai’i’s twelve-game winning streak against Cal State Fullerton dating back to 2020.
The Rainbow Wahine will return home to face Hawai’i Hilo in nonconference play on December 11 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
