Hawaii Basketball surges as Rainbow Wahine lock in top-4 seed after dominant UC Riverside win
hawaii basketball delivered a statement on Thursday, March 5, 2026, as the Rainbow Wahine powered past UC Riverside 89-56 at SRC Arena in Riverside, California. Hawaii senior forward Saniyah Neverson posted a career-high 19 points, and the team stretched its winning streak to a season-high seven games. The result clinched Hawaii a first-round bye in the Big West tournament, secured with the win plus Cal State Fullerton’s loss to UC San Diego.
What happened: 89-56 win seals a first-round bye
Hawaii improved to 19-10 overall and 13-6 in Big West play, and the clinching scenario was completed when Cal State Fullerton fell to UC San Diego. The Rainbow Wahine’s offense was sharp throughout, shooting 56. 5% (35-for-62) from the field while tying a season-high 50% (10-for-20) from three-point range.
The closing minutes turned the win into a rout. Hawaii ended the second half on an 11-0 run over the final 97 seconds, creating separation that left no late doubt about the outcome.
Hawaii Basketball leaders: Neverson’s career night, bench lift, and balanced scoring
Neverson’s 19 points came on 8-for-11 shooting, setting a new career high. Off the bench, junior guard Jovi Lefotu supplied a season-high 12 points, adding a crucial scoring punch as Hawaii pushed its recent run to 13 wins in 14 games.
Keiara Curtis and Imani Perez added 10 points each. Curtis also filled the box score with six assists and five rebounds, helping steady the attack as Hawaii consistently found clean looks and converted at a high rate.
Turning the tables on UC Riverside after earlier loss
Thursday’s win also marked a clear reversal from the teams’ earlier meeting, when UC Riverside defeated Hawaii 65-58 in Hawaii. UC Riverside entered the game with its Big West tournament position already set as the No. 7 seed, standing at 10-20 overall and 8-12 in conference play.
For UC Riverside, Hannah Wickstrom finished with 14 points on 5-for-17 shooting, with 10 of those points coming in the first half. In the first meeting between the teams this season, Wickstrom scored 36 points against Hawaii, but this time the Rainbow Wahine held her in check and controlled the game’s tempo and spacing.
What’s next: regular-season finale at Long Beach State
With the top-4 seed now secured, Hawaii closes the regular season at Long Beach State on Saturday at noon (ET). The next immediate focus is carrying this shooting rhythm and defensive control into the final game and then into the Big West tournament, where the first-round bye provides both rest and a direct path into the later stages of the bracket for hawaii basketball.
