The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team secured a 66-61 victory over Portland to win the Bank of Hawai’i Classic title on Sunday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. This marks the Rainbow Wahine’s second consecutive championship in the tournament and their first 4-0 season start since 2000-01.
The game remained close into the final quarter, with both teams exchanging leads. Ritorya Tamilo, returning from injury for her second game, scored a layup off an assist from Bailey Flavell to break a 60-60 tie with under a minute remaining. Flavell then made four free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.
Tamilo matched her career high with 16 points, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and making her second career three-pointer. She was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Flavell contributed nine points, five rebounds, and three assists and was selected for the All-Tournament team.
Imani Perez added eight points for Hawai’i, including two three-pointers. Eleven players from UH contributed to scoring during the game.
For Portland, Rhyan Mogel led with 16 points while Nicole Rodriguez and Dyani Ananiev each scored 13 points. Ananiev represented Portland on the All-Tournament team.
Portland started strong with a seven-point lead but Hawai’i responded with a nine-point run led by Tamilo and Kira-May Filemu. The Pilots regained momentum before halftime through outside shooting but UH closed gaps throughout the second half.
With less than two minutes left in regulation, Tamilo tied it up on a putback before scoring again after a defensive stop on an assist from Flavell. The Rainbow Wahine held onto their lead to claim their first win over Portland since December 4, 1992.
The Rainbow Wahine will next host Vermont, Lindenwood, and Santa Clara in the American Savings Bank Rainbow Wahine Showdown from November 28–30 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center as they wrap up their season-opening homestand.
Bank of Hawai’i Classic All-Tournament Team:
Taysia Jordan (Idaho State)
Jess Lawson (Loyola Marymount)
Maya Hernandez (Loyola Marymount)
Dyani Ananiev (Portland)
Bailey Flavell (Hawai’i)
Most Valuable Player: Ritorya Tamilo (Hawai’i)
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