The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team ended a five-game losing streak with a 61-47 victory over UH Hilo on Thursday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Seven players from the Rainbow Wahine scored at least six points, with freshmen Bailey Flavell and Kyra Webb leading the team with nine points each. The win brings Hawai’i’s record to 5-5 this season.
This matchup marked the first regular-season meeting between the Rainbow Wahine and UH Hilo since 2020, although they have faced each other in preseason exhibition games in previous years. With this result, Hawai’i remains undefeated against UH Hilo in their all-time series, improving to 5-0. The game was considered an exhibition for UH Hilo, which competes in Division II as part of the PacWest Conference.
Senior Imani Perez came off the bench for the first time this season and nearly achieved a double-double before halftime. She recorded eight points on perfect shooting (3-for-3), eight rebounds, and two blocks. Teyahna Bond also shot 3-for-3 from the field and finished with seven points. The Rainbow Wahine shot 60% from the field in the first half and ended the game shooting 48.1%.
Jovi Lefotu made her first start of the season for Hawai’i, contributing eight points, four rebounds, and an assist while providing experience in the backcourt.
UH Hilo managed to stay close by making five three-pointers but struggled overall from the field, shooting just 29%. After a slow start, Hawai’i went on a six-point run capped by a Perez three-pointer to lead 17-8 early on. They extended their advantage to 12 points during the second quarter before UH Hilo responded with a seven-point run.
Perez scored five straight points late in the half as Bond’s jumper increased Hawai’i’s lead to double digits before halftime. In the third quarter, Hawai’i took control with an 11-0 run that included contributions from both Lefotu and Saniyah Neverson.
The Rainbow Wahine maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter, eventually extending it to as many as 18 points. They dominated inside play by out-rebounding UH Hilo by a margin of two-to-one (48-24) and outscoring them in the paint by thirty points (40-10).
Hawai’i will conclude its nonconference schedule at next week’s Maui Classic held December 19–20 at Seabury Hall in Makawao. The team is scheduled to face Liberty and Montana State during that event hosted by Oregon State.
