HONOLULU (Interstat) — The Hawaii Warriors and UC Riverside Highlanders open their Big West Conference women’s basketball schedules on New Year’s Day, each looking to build momentum from contrasting non-conference results. The game is set for Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii (6-6) enters conference play at .500, while UC Riverside seeks to reverse its 3-9 start. The Warriors concluded their non-conference slate with a 1-1 road trip, falling 72-56 at Montana State before a 67-58 victory at Liberty. Guard Keiara Curtis has been a key contributor, averaging 13.5 points over those two contests. UC Riverside snapped a four-game skid in emphatic fashion Tuesday, routing UC Merced 93-52. The Highlanders’ offense erupted, led by Hannah Wickstrom’s 30 points in just 21 minutes. Seneca Hackley added 19 points and six assists, and Taylor Swanson scored 21. Wickstrom, a consistent scoring threat, has averaged 22.3 points over her last three games, including a 30-point performance against UC Merced and 22 points in a loss to Gonzaga. Hawaii will aim to leverage its home-court advantage, where it has posted a 4-2 record this season. The Warriors’ defense will be tested by a Highlanders squad that just displayed its high-scoring potential. For UC Riverside, the challenge will be translating its dominant performance against a non-Division I opponent into success on the road against a conference foe. The Highlanders are 0-6 in true road games this season. This matchup begins the 18-game conference grind for both teams. Hawaii’s next game is Saturday at home against UC San Diego. UC Riverside continues its Hawaii road trip before hosting Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time at Stan Sheriff Center.