HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — The Hawaii women’s basketball team edged UC Irvine 67-63 in overtime Friday in a Big West Conference tournament game at Dollar Loan Center. The Warriors built a 13-point lead through three quarters, but the Anteaters rallied with an 18-point fourth quarter to force overtime. Hawaii dominated the extra period, holding UC Irvine to just three points. Hunter Hernandez led all scorers with 33 points for UC Irvine. Imani Perez scored 11 points for Hawaii, which improved to 22-10. UC Irvine fell to 26-6.

HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a superstar’s performance and a team’s collective resilience, the Hawaii Warriors outlasted the UC Irvine Anteaters 67-63 in overtime Friday afternoon in a Big West Conference women’s basketball tournament semifinal at the Dollar Loan Center. The contest was a heavyweight clash between the conference’s top two teams, with second-seeded Hawaii improving to 22-10 and top-seeded UC Irvine falling to 26-6. The game lived up to its billing, featuring 12 lead changes, eight ties, and a dramatic final minute of regulation that forced the extra period. The narrative was dominated by UC Irvine guard Hunter Hernandez. The junior from San Jose, California, delivered a monumental performance, scoring 33 points in 45 minutes. She was the engine for the Anteaters, carrying the offensive load and nearly single-handedly willing her team to victory. Hawaii, however, countered with a balanced and persistent attack, weathering every surge Hernandez orchestrated. Hawaii established early control, leveraging its interior presence and ball movement to build a 39-30 halftime lead. The Warriors shot efficiently in the first half, with Imani Perez and Saniyah Neverson providing key baskets. UC Irvine, reliant on Hernandez and Jada Wynn who finished with 18 points, struggled to find consistent secondary scoring. The Anteaters chipped away in the third quarter, tightening their defense and holding Hawaii to just 13 points. A 12-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarters, fueled by Hernandez and Wynn, gave UC Irvine its first lead since the opening minutes. The game then transformed into a tense, possession-by-possession battle. The final minute of regulation encapsulated the evening’s drama. With Hawaii trailing 60-57, Perez found Bailey Flavell for a clutch 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining to tie the game. UC Irvine had a chance to win it in regulation, but a driving attempt by Hernandez was contested and a follow tip by Summah Hanson rimmed out at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime tied at 60. The most important part of the game unfolded in the extra period, where Hawaii’s defense and composure ultimately prevailed. Hernandez scored a quick basket for UC Irvine, but those would be the Anteaters’ only points in overtime. Hawaii’s defense locked down, forcing four UC Irvine turnovers and holding them to 1-for-7 shooting in the five-minute frame. Offensively, Hawaii patiently worked for points at the free-throw line. Flavell, who finished with 13 points, hit two crucial free throws with six seconds left in overtime to extend the lead to four. UC Irvine’s final attempt, a Hernandez 3-pointer blocked by Jovi Lefotu, sealed the victory for Hawaii. While Hernandez’s 33-point effort was the standout individual line, Hawaii won with depth. Perez tallied 11 points, Neverson added 10, and the Warriors received critical minutes from reserves like Lefotu, Ritorya Tamilo, and Teyahna Bond. The Warriors also dominated the glass, outrebounding UC Irvine and converting 15 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points. The victory, coming against a team that had won 26 games and was a heavy favorite according to predictive metrics, sends Hawaii to the conference tournament championship game. They will face UC Davis on Saturday with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line. For UC Irvine, a stellar season ends in heartbreaking fashion, its hopes dashed by a Hawaii team that proved tougher in the final, decisive minutes.

HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — A pivotal neutral-site matchup with postseason implications awaits Friday when the UC Irvine Anteaters and Hawaii Warriors meet in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball clash at the Dollar Loan Center. The Anteaters (26-5), one of the West’s top teams this season, enter as solid favorites. National Statistical’s ELO system projects UC Irvine with a 64.1% probability to win. They are led by dynamic guard Hunter Hernandez, who is averaging 26.4 points over her last five games, including a 41-point outburst at Cal Poly on March 5. Hernandez scored 24 points in their most recent outing, a 70-58 road win at UC Davis on March 7. Hawaii (21-10) counters with a formidable defensive presence in forward Imani Perez. The Warriors’ standout is averaging 10.6 points and has recorded 12 blocks over her last seven contests. She posted 12 points, four assists and four blocks in Hawaii’s 72-61 overtime victory over Cal State Fullerton on Thursday. The season series is split 1-1, with each team winning on its home floor. Hawaii claimed the most recent meeting, 55-50, on Jan. 29 in Honolulu. UC Irvine took the first matchup, 50-47, on Jan. 10 in Irvine. Both games were defensive struggles, suggesting another tight, physical battle is likely. Hawaii rides a seven-game winning streak, last losing at UC San Diego on Feb. 7. UC Irvine has been dominant, winning 10 of its last 11, with the lone loss a 70-62 setback at UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 28. The game is part of a multi-team event in Henderson. Hawaii is scheduled to face UC Davis at the same venue on Saturday. For UC Irvine, a victory would bolster its resume for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, while Hawaii looks to strengthen its case for a postseason berth. Tip-off is set for Friday, March 13, 2026.