HONOLULU — The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team showcased its skills in a recent exhibition match, dominating Hawai’i Pacific University with a score of 74-34. The game took place at the Stan Sheriff Center, setting an energetic tone for the upcoming season.
The Rainbow Wahine displayed impressive shooting, hitting 59.3% of their shots and overpowering HPU inside the paint with a staggering 54-6 advantage. Senior players Imani Perez and Saniyah Neverson were standout performers, combining for 27 points on an efficient 12-for-16 shooting. They also secured a total of 13 rebounds between them.
Neverson excelled early, scoring 11 of her 13 points in the first half. She rounded out her performance with six rebounds, three assists, and three blocked shots. Meanwhile, Perez scored 14 points, mostly in the second half. Freshman guard Bailey Flavell added her own spark, contributing 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals to the mix. Sophomore Kira-May Filemu also made a mark with nine points and five steals, helping the team force 32 turnovers, leading to 35 points off those takeaways.
HPU’s Kyla Hopton led her team with 11 points, primarily from three 3-pointers. Interestingly, eight of HPU’s 12 field goals were 3-pointers, highlighting their strategy to stretch the floor despite the dominant paint presence of Hawai’i.
The game started with HPU briefly leading 3-2, but UH quickly turned the tide with a 13-0 run, driven by strong defensive plays that led to easy transition points. By the end of the first quarter, the Rainbow Wahine were ahead 17-6. They maintained momentum, finishing the half with an 8-0 run to lead 33-15.
The third quarter saw HPU fight back, narrowing the gap to 12 points after a couple of 3-pointers. However, the Rainbow Wahine responded firmly, preserving their lead by executing strong plays both inside and outside the arc. Freshman Kyra Webb played a crucial role in the third quarter surge, scoring six points during a 14-0 run.
In the fourth, Perez found her rhythm, making all three of her field-goal attempts, including a second 3-pointer, as the team continued to build on its lead.
Looking forward, the Rainbow Wahine’s official season opener is set for Tuesday, November 4, against Portland State, also at the Stan Sheriff Center, with the game scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
This exhibition win stirs excitement, and as the team gears up for competitive play, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how they build on this strong foundation. Supporters are buzzing on social media, sharing clips of standout plays and expressing optimism for the season ahead, especially with the impressive depth and talent on display during the match.
For further updates on women’s basketball, stay tuned to official sports channels and community forums.
For more information, you can check out the NCAA women’s basketball statistics and insights.
