UHs womens basketball team welcomes 1,200 young fans Friday

Published: Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10:05 am

UH Women's Basketball to Host Education Day with Elementary School Fans

The University of Hawaii (UH) women's basketball team is gearing up for a special game this Friday, welcoming approximately 1,200 elementary school students for an Education Day event. The Rainbow Wahine will tip off the Bank of Hawaii Classic against Loyola Marymount at 11 a.m. Head coach Laura Beeman anticipates a lively atmosphere, recalling the energy generated by a similar event last year.

The team is eager to return to the court after a week of practice, particularly after a recent overtime victory against a Division II opponent. Despite the win, the team struggled with shooting, making only one of 26 three-point attempts and committing 30 turnovers. Coach Beeman noted the team is ready to compete after playing only twice in the last 16 days.

The team has faced challenges with player availability early in the season. While some players have returned from absences, two key players remain sidelined. Coach Beeman acknowledged the difficulties of having a full roster for practices due to various factors, including injuries and visa issues.

The Bank of Hawaii Classic will feature two challenging opponents. Loyola Marymount, led by Maya Hernandez, who averages 17.3 points per game, and Portland, which has a strong history against UH, having won the last seven games. UH's sophomore guard Dyani Ananiev is averaging 9.7 points per game. Freshman Bailey Flavell leads the Rainbow Wahine in scoring at 14.5 points per game.

UH is currently the only team in the Big West without a loss. The next win will mark the 800th in program history. The tournament schedule also includes a game against Portland on Sunday.

BNN's Perspective:

The Education Day initiative is a positive step in fostering community engagement and introducing young fans to the sport. While the team faces some challenges, the early season success and the upcoming milestone of 800 wins are encouraging signs. The team will need to improve their shooting and ball control to be competitive in the tournament.

Keywords: Hawaii Women's Basketball, UH, Rainbow Wahine, Bank of Hawaii Classic, Education Day, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Bailey Flavell, Maya Hernandez, Dyani Ananiev, Laura Beeman, Big West, College Basketball, Women's Basketball

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