‘Uhila’s career night leads Hawai’i comeback over UC Santa Barbara

HONOLULU – Sticks. 

The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team erased a 19-point deficit to come back and extend the team’s winning streak to 11 on Saturday night, taking down UC Santa Barbara 65-58 to avenge the last loss that the Rainbow Wahine suffered. Senior guard Mia ‘Uhila led UH in points, rebounds and assists, erupting for a career-high 23 points (19 after halftime), seven boards and four dimes in the victory. 

“Just a gritty effort – again,” said head coach Laura Beeman of her team’s impressive comeback. “There was no panic. We just needed to clean some things up, needed to pick up our tempo and the only way you can pick up tempo is if you get stops and that’s what happened in the third quarter.” 

MeiLani McBee added 12 points and five rebounds for the Rainbow Wahine, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers while calmly cashing in on all six free throw attempts in 27 minutes of action. Lily Wahinekapu returned from her one-game absence to score 11 points, leaving the senior guard at 999 for her UH career. 

The night got off to a rocky start for Hawai’i, who hit 2-of-16 from the floor in the opening quarter as they watched UC Santa Barbara race out to a commanding 26-7 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Gauchos opened the game on fire, seeing three different players drill consecutive 3-pointers to start the action on route to a 10-of-17 shooting performance (5-of-8 3PT) in the first quarter. 

Hawai’i’s defense recovered quickly, holding UCSB down in the second quarter as the visitors saw their efficiency drop off a cliff with three total makes from the floor in the frame. After being held scoreless for the first 19 minutes of the opening half, UH guard Mia ‘Uhila scored four points in the final 50 seconds to help the Rainbow Wahine slice the deficit to 11 at the break. 

‘Uhila didn’t allow the stoppage to break her focus, springboarding the Rainbow Wahine to begin the third quarter as she powered a 15-2 run that put Hawai’i in front for the first time since the opening minute, 40-38. UC Santa Barbara slowed the momentum over the final six minutes of the quarter, playing Hawai’i even and heading into the final period trailing by a pair. 

“She’s really good,” Beeman said of ‘Uhila following the game. “Our system is not easy and Mia, every game, is getting more and more comfortable with the system … Today, she just played [comfortable]. I’m really proud of her and what she did this week.” 

Hawai’i G Mia ‘Uhila receives congratulations following a career outing as the Rainbow Wahine thanked fans after the game. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The Rainbow Wahine scored 8 of 10 points to start the fourth quarter, taking a 56-48 advantage as the clock continued to drain away. A pair of free throws from UCSB’s Skylar Burke pulled the Gauchos back within five with 1:31 left to play, but that was the closest the visitors would get as Hawai’i cashed in from the foul line to close out a near-20-point comeback for the team’s 11th straight win, 65-58. 

Skylar Burke led the way for UC Santa Barbara, pouring in a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Zoe Borter added 11 points and six boards for the Gauchos while leading scorer Alyssa Marin was held to just nine points on 2-of-10 shooting against the suffocating Hawai’i defense. 

Hawai’i hits the road again next week, looking to avenge the only other conference loss the team has suffered so far this season as they visit Long Beach State on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. HT. 

“I’m very aware that Long Beach got us [at home],” Beeman floated. “I think [our players] are too.”