On a night that marked the conclusion of collegiate careers for some and a significant achievement for others, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team secured the Big West regular-season championship. The Rainbow Wahine defeated Cal State Northridge (CSUN) 62-36 on Senior Night at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. The win earned them the top seed for the upcoming Big West championships, scheduled for Friday in Henderson, Nev.
The win was accompanied by a record-breaking achievement for guard MeiLani McBee. During the game, McBee set a new all-time record for three-pointers made in Hawai'i's program history. According to Spectrum Local News, she hit her 206th career three-pointer, surpassing former record-holder Amy Atwell. "I told her I was gonna get her one," said McBee. And get it she did.
The team's six outgoing players were honored during the night. Lilly Wahinekapu, Kelsie Imai, Mia ‘Uhila, Brooklyn Rewers, McBee, and Hallie Birdsong were recognized in a postgame ceremony. The sendoff was acknowledged by the team and the 3,579 fans in attendance. Each senior contributed to the game, with Hawai'i Athletics reporting that Wahinekapu led the scoring with 18 points and Rewers recorded a career-high 13 rebounds.
In addition to the plays and points, there was a cultural moment during the evening. Wahinekapu performed a traditional Polynesian dance, which she said was choreographed with help from Tori (Ritorya Tamilo) and her sister Jovi Lefotu. Despite having only a week to prepare and not considering herself a dancer, the performance linked her athletic achievement to her cultural heritage in front of the home crowd.
