Women’s Basketball Loses to Long Beach State in Overtime

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Women's Basketball Loses to Long Beach State in Overtime

Upcoming Match: Arkansas – Pine Bluff 12/16/2024 | 7:00 PM HT Spectrum Sports Dec. 16 (Mon) / 7:00 PM HT Arkansas – Pine Bluff Records HONOLULU — A close contest slipped from the University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team in a 73-69 defeat to Long Beach State in overtime to commence Big West action on Saturday […]

Upcoming Match:
Arkansas – Pine Bluff
12/16/2024 | 7:00 PM HT

Spectrum Sports

Dec. 16 (Mon) / 7:00 PM HT

Arkansas – Pine Bluff

Records

HONOLULU — A close contest slipped from the University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team in a 73-69 defeat to Long Beach State in overtime to commence Big West action on Saturday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

The clash between the Rainbow Wahine (5-3, 0-1) and the Beach (5-3, 2-0) saw 10 ties and 15 lead changes before Long Beach State took the lead for the last time with a 3-pointer at 1:03 left in overtime, managing to fend off the ‘Bows in the closing moments.

Having its earliest conference opener as part of the Big West’s “Bold Week,” UH entered the matchup with a 13-game home winning streak in Big West games, suffering a conference loss in Mānoa for the first time since Long Beach State edged out a 48-47 victory on Feb. 18, 2023.

Lily Wahinekapu knocked down four 3-pointers and topped the Rainbow Wahine with 20 points, scoring all seven of UH’s points in overtime. Freshman center Ritorya Tamilo contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, achieving a season-high with six blocked shots. The ‘Bows collectively recorded 13 blocks, one shy of the program’s single-game record set in 2005.

Jovi Lefotu ignited the ‘Bows in the fourth quarter, finishing with nine points. MeiLani McBee and Imani Perez both sank two 3-pointers to add eight points to the tally.

Wahinekapu’s final 3-pointer granted UH a 66-64 edge with 2:57 remaining in overtime, and she followed up with a layup at 1:30 to give the ‘Bows a 68-66 lead.

However, Patricia Chung’s fourth 3-pointer reclaimed the lead for the Beach with 1:03 left, and Savannah Tucker converted four free throws in the last 24 seconds to secure Long Beach State’s victory. Tucker finished 11-for-12 from the line and led all scorers with 23 points. Chung accumulated all her points from beyond the arc to total 12.

Long Beach State emerged with an 18-3 advantage in fast-break points and 38-28 in points scored in the paint.

The Rainbow Wahine will return to nonconference competition against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 16 at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in their last home outing of 2024.