HENDERSON, Nev. — UC San Diego’s women’s basketball team emerged victorious against Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine on Saturday to win their second-straight Big West Tournament Championship. The 60-48 win comes after the Tritons secured its first-ever regular-season conference title as co-champions with UC Irvine on March 7.
Saturday’s game was also the Tritons’ third time playing the Rainbow Wahine this season. UC San Diego won both of their previous matchups, which helped them prepare for this one.
“It is hard to beat a team three times, but you’ve also played them two times before that,” said Tritons forward Erin Condron. “You know what they’re going to do and what your scout is.”
The Tritons started the game with a 4-0 run, but then struggled to keep their offense going as Hawai’i held them to nine points in the opening quarter. The Rainbow Wahine scored 11 points in the final five minutes of the first to go up 13-9.
UC San Diego’s lack of offensive rhythm continued in the second quarter. The Tritons closed to within a point when guard Rose Smith drained a 3-pointer, but Hawai’i immediately responded with nine unanswered points and put the Tritons down by 8 at the half, 28-20.
The Tritons celebrate their Big West championship and NCAA Tournament berth. Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
In the early minutes of the second half, the Rainbow Wahine extended their lead to 11 but UC San Diego found their momentum on both ends of the floor in the third quarter.
“When we had those 15 minutes at halftime to regroup, we came out with a mission,” said Tritons head coach Heidi Vanderveer. “We wanted to leave it all out on the floor.”
Condron led the way on offense, scoring eight points of her 22 points in the third quarter. Guard Makayla Rose set the tone defensively with three third-quarter steals.
UC San Diego continued its second-half dominance by scoring 40 points while holding Hawai’i to 20. Despite the early struggle, UC San Diego grabbed a 60-48 victory over the Rainbow Wahine and earned their second-straight NCAA Tournament berth.
The Tritons were dominant over Hawai’i in both points off turnovers, 21-5, and fast break points, 14-2. Condron also had 14 rebounds to go along with her 22 points, while Makayla Rose packed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and no turnovers.
Next Up
No. 14 seed UC San Diego will take on the No. 3 seed TCU in the Sacramento Region of the NCAA Division I Tournament on Friday, Mar. 20 at 9 a.m. The Tritons will travel to Fort Worth to take on the Horned Frogs. Tune into the game on ESPN+.
