On a night meant to celebrate a Hawaii legend, the Rainbow Warriors went ahead and added a fresh chapter of their own.
Hawaii stormed back to edge UC Santa Barbara 78-75 in overtime Saturday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, capping Anthony "AC" Carter jersey retirement night with a wild finish that nudged the Rainbow Warriors into a three-way tie atop the Big West and tightened an already congested conference race.
Late Heroics Force Extra Period
Hawaii’s season got a serious jolt of drama in the final seconds of regulation. Harry Rouhliadeff tipped in the game-tying bucket to make it 68-68 with two seconds left, dragging the contest into overtime. In the extra frame, Isaiah Kerr took over, scoring six points that included a crucial three-point play with 1:59 remaining. Hunter Erickson was fouled with 1:02 to go and split a pair of free throws, giving Hawaii just enough breathing room. UC Santa Barbara’s C.J. Shaw then missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, as reported by Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Bullock Leads The Charge
Guard Quandre Bullock steered the offense, pouring in a team-high 21 points in the win, per ESPN. His performance helped Hawaii survive a rugged home test and swing the momentum back its way as the league heads into the pressure-packed final stretch of conference play.
AC Carter Honored, Crowd Roars
All of it unfolded on a night built around program great Anthony "AC" Carter. Hawaii retired his jersey, only the second time the program has raised a uniform into the rafters, and the ceremony helped pack Bankoh Arena with 8,103 fans, according to Hawaii Athletics. The tribute and the tight finish turned the game into an emotional, noise-filled showcase for the home crowd.
What This Means In The Race
The win pushed Hawaii to an 11-5 record in Big West play and into a three-way tie for first place, further tightening the top of the standings as the regular season winds down, per ESPN. With seeding and tiebreakers looming, every remaining conference game now carries extra weight for the Rainbow Warriors.
