Rainbow Wahine and Sharks Share Valuable Takeaways from Exhibition Game in Honolulu

The University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Pacific University women’s basketball faced off in an exhibition that offered both programs valuable early lessons. The Division I Rainbow Wahine came away with a 74–34 win over the Division II Sharks on Tuesday night, showing flashes of their up-tempo potential while also revealing areas for improvement.

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Fast Start and Relentless Pace

UH jumped out to an early 17–6 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, holding HPU to just 25% shooting overall. The Rainbow Wahine dominated inside with a 54–6 advantage in points in the paint and pushed the tempo for 19 fast-break points. Senior forward Imani Perez led the way with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while freshman Bailey Flavell added 12 points, six boards, and three assists in her second collegiate game.

Head coach Laura Beeman praised her team’s tempo and selflessness but emphasized that the energy stood out even more than execution. “We don’t always play efficiently, but I love our pace. I love that they get excited when they can get downhill,” Beeman said. “When you don’t have to coach effort, you can coach the things that win ballgames.”

Perez–Neverson Frontcourt Shows Chemistry

Perez and transfer forward Saniyah Neverson were nearly unstoppable in the frontcourt, combining for 27 points on 12-for-16 shooting.

Beeman highlighted how their chemistry allows flexibility in the offense: “Saniyah’s a really smart player… we read off each other really well,” Perez added. “Both of our IQs together really help the team out.”

Freshmen Make Immediate Impact

New Zealand native Bailey Flavell looked confident in transition and comfortable directing the pace. “I think just playing back home helped me make my reads,” she said. “Coming here, I’ve got such good bigs and teammates—it’s just about making the right reads.”

Beeman noted that her overseas recruits arrive well-prepared.

“They’ve all played at a really high level,” she explained. “In New Zealand and Australia, they’re training to represent their country. When they come in, it’s our job to teach them the physicality and pace of American basketball.”

Sharks Show Grit in Exhibition

Despite the lopsided score, the exhibition offered valuable first-game experience for the Division II Sharks, who entered the night with 17 new players and an almost entirely rebuilt roster under first-year head coach Brent Gibson.

Before tipoff, Gibson said the night was about “seeing 17 brand new people come together” and finding out how the group would respond under the lights against a Division I opponent. “I think you’re going to see a group that plays hard, competes, and really plays for each other,” he said. “The key for us is handling pressure, being strong with the ball, and taking what we call ‘gold medal shots’—wide-open threes or good looks at the rim.”

Local standouts Mia Frye and Kalysa Marie Ng anchored HPU’s backcourt, with Frye providing energy and early scoring while Ng—back home from junior college—handled primary point guard duties.

Transfer forward Abbey Hadsell, praised by Gibson pregame for her ability to “stretch defenses and guard multiple positions,” showed that versatility with seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Freshman Kyla Hopton led all Sharks with 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting, including three triples.

Gibson said he was proud of how his local players embraced the opportunity to perform in front of friends and family. “For them to play in their hometown, in this kind of atmosphere, that’s special,” he noted.

Building Toward the Opener

For Beeman, the exhibition served as the perfect bridge between practice and the season’s first test. “Tonight’s physicality and pace were much better for us,” she said. “HPU came out hungry, they were physical and scrappy—that’s exactly what we needed before Portland State.”

The Rainbow Wahine open their regular season on November 4 against Portland State. The Sharks will take valuable experience from facing Division I competition into another exhibition, hosting North West Indian College on November 10 in the Shark Tank.

Final Score: Hawai‘i 74, Hawai‘i Pacific 34
Leading Scorers: UH – Perez 14, Neverson 13, Flavell 12; HPU – Hopton 11, Hadsell 7