UH basketball plays Pomona on Saturday

Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 10:05 am

Hawaii Athletics Kicks Off Season with Exhibition Games and Athlete Honors

Honolulu, HI – The University of Hawaii athletic program is gearing up for a new season, with both the men's basketball and swimming teams making headlines this week. The men's basketball team is set to play its first of two free exhibition games this month, offering fans a preview of the upcoming season.

The Rainbow Warriors will face Pomona-Pitzer this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Admission and parking are complimentary for the event. Fans can tune in to KKEA 1420-AM/ 92.7 FM for the broadcast. This exhibition game serves as a warm-up before the regular season officially begins on November 4th against Oregon. The second exhibition game will be held on October 26th against Chaminade, also free to the public.

In other athletic news, UH swimmer Mario Surkovic has been recognized by the Big West Conference as the Men's Athlete of the Week. Surkovic earned the honor after a strong performance at the Triton Invitational. He secured five top-five finishes, including two event wins. His notable achievements include gold in the 200 individual medley, bronze in the 100 freestyle, fourth in the 100 breaststroke, first-place in the 200 freestyle relay, and bronze in the 200 medley relay.

Additionally, UH Hilo sophomore Isabella Freeman has been named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week. This marks the second time Freeman has received the award this season. Her performance last week included 35 kills and 13 blocks in eight sets, contributing to the Vulcans' undefeated record.

BNN's Perspective: The start of the athletic season is always an exciting time for the University of Hawaii community. The free exhibition games offer a great opportunity for fans to support their teams and get a taste of the upcoming season. The recognition of Surkovic and Freeman highlights the talent and dedication within the UH athletic program.

Keywords: Hawaii basketball, UH basketball, Pomona-Pitzer, exhibition game, free admission, Mario Surkovic, UH swimming, Big West Conference, Isabella Freeman, UH Hilo, PacWest Conference, athlete of the week, Rainbow Warriors, Vulcans, Triton Invitational.

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