The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball team wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a nail-biter against San Diego State, unfortunately coming up short by a mere two points. The final showdown, ending in a 54-52 score yesterday, left Hawaii clinging to a 6-5 record as they head into the holiday break. Despite leading at halftime and at various points throughout the game, their efforts were thwarted in the final moments, KHON2 reports.
Hawaii's own Brooklyn Rewers and Daejah Phillips set the floor ablaze with 10 and 11 points, respectively, but it was the Aztecs who ultimately stole the show with SDSU guard Victoria Sheffey's game-winning drive. Indeed, in a scripted moment that could well be etched into Rainbow Wahine lore, the buzzer beater was a fraction too late and an inch too short – a corner three-pointer from MeiLani McBee clanked off the rim, followed by Ritorya Tamilo's putback effort that was close, but ultimately no cigar, as noted by a Spectrum News interview.
Coach Laura Beeman lamented the close loss, saying in a statement obtained by Spectrum News, “That’s the look you want. Alex (associate head coach Delanian) drew up a great play, something that we work on, (McBee) had a great look and Tori had an offensive board. I thought she was fouled on her putback." The Rainbow Wahine has had a tough December, with injuries to key players like Kelsie Imai and Jovi Lefotu, contributing to their recent on-court struggles.
The team's next challenge lies in Big West play against the Gauchos on January 2, post-holiday reunion on Friday. The focus now is on recovery and family time – well-deserved, holiday break time, with a side of good food and forgetfulness when it comes to this month's basketball trials. "We gotta get rest and, we gotta get healthy," Beeman said, emphasizing the importance of recouping strength and morale ahead of the Big West play, according to a Spectrum News interview.
Meanwhile, SDSU can celebrate their player Naomi Panganiban, who bagged 24 points – the highest scored against a Division I opponent this season, second only to Jakayla Johnson's performance against the Rainbow Wahine. Panganiban's stellar play and SDSU's defensive edge – they held Hawaii to 33.3% shooting – were key to their success. Hawaii now hopes to bounce back and regain their form, as the intermission of play during the holiday season presents an opportunity for rest and strategic regrouping.
