Hawai’i Secures Big West Tie with Hard-Fought Victory Over UC San Diego
Honolulu, HI – The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors battled to a 72-67 victory over the UC San Diego Tritons on , tying them for the lead in the Big West Conference. The game, played at Honolulu, saw a resilient performance from Hawai’i, ultimately overcoming a strong second-half push from UC San Diego.
The Tritons came out strong in the second half, hitting seven of their first eleven shots, according to reports from Hawaii Athletics. They managed to take their first lead of the game, 37-36, early in the half with a three-pointer from Tom Beattie. UC San Diego extended that lead to five points, 45-40, with 13:34 remaining in the game.
Despite the Tritons’ surge, Hawai’i managed to hold on, fueled by a strong performance from Isaac Johnson, who scored 20 points. Johnson’s contributions were critical in securing the win, as the Rainbow Warriors navigated a closely contested final stretch.
The game saw several lead changes and a tight scoreline throughout. According to ESPN, Hawai’i led for 75% of the game, with the largest lead reaching 12 points. UC San Diego, however, remained competitive, demonstrating a determined effort to challenge Hawai’i on their home court.
Looking at the team statistics, both teams shot 43% from the field. Hawai’i found more success from beyond the arc, converting 19% of their three-point attempts compared to UC San Diego’s 28%. At the free-throw line, Hawai’i was more efficient, shooting 65% compared to UC San Diego’s 56%. Rebounding also played a key role, with Hawai’i securing 47 rebounds to UC San Diego’s 26.
Individual performances highlighted the game. For UC San Diego, Tom Beattie led the scoring with 14 points, while for Hawai’i, Isaac Johnson’s 20 points proved pivotal. Hunter Erickson contributed 10 rebounds for Hawai’i and Harry Mayes also grabbed 10 rebounds, with 9 defensive and 1 offensive.
Turnovers proved to be a factor, with UC San Diego committing 11 and Hawai’i committing 14. The game was officiated by Randal Anders, James Duke, and Antonio Moss.
The victory moves Hawai’i to a 17-5 overall record and a 9-3 record in the Big West Conference. UC San Diego falls to 16-9 overall and 6-7 in conference play. The tie for the Big West lead sets the stage for a competitive finish as the season progresses.
Key moments in the game, as detailed by ESPN’s play-by-play, included several crucial baskets by Isaac Johnson, including a 24-foot three-point jumper assisted by Isaac Finlinson. Other notable plays included layups from Jaden Vance and Dre Bullock, and a three-pointer from Cade Pendleton.
According to ESPN Analytics, the win probability favored Hawai’i for the majority of the game, though UC San Diego mounted a significant challenge in the second half. The game was a testament to the competitive nature of the Big West Conference and the determination of both teams.
