HENDERSON, Nev.-- For the second consecutive year, the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team is heading to the NCAA tournament after an improbable comeback win over UC Santa Barbara, 61-59, Saturday afternoon in the Hercules Tires Big West Basketball Championships at the Dollar Loan Center.
The Rainbow Wahine (18-14, 13-7) erased a 15-point second half deficit to repeat as Big West tournament champions for the first-time in program history. Daejah Phillips converted a three-point play with 3.4 seconds left that proved to be the game-winner. UCSB's desperation three-pointer was off the mark.
Phillips and guard Lily Wahinekapu each scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to lead the comeback. UH trailed by 15 at halftime and by 10 heading into the final period. The Rainbow Wahine out-scored the Gauchos, 38-21 in the second half.
The 'Bows chipped away at the deficit with a pair of 8-0 runs in the fourth quarter. Wahinekapu's driving lay-up put UH up 58-57 with 1:20 left. The Gauchos retook the lead after a pair of free throws by Alexis Tucker with 6.4 seconds remaining. On UH's ensuing possession, Philips took a pass from Imani Perez and drove to the basket, hitting her shot while getting fouled.
The Gauchos (21-12, 12-7) were led by Tucker's 21 points.
UCSB controlled the first 20 minutes of the game, including a second quarter where they held UH to eight points. The Gauchos shot 43% from the floor and 40% from three, compared to the 'Bows who shot 27% and didn't make a three in the second frame, leading to a 38-23 lead for UCSB heading into the halftime.
UH will now make its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and first back-to-back appearance since 1989-90. The Big West tournament title is the third for UH under head coach Laura Beeman, including titles in 2016 and '22.
The selection show for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is Sunday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. HT).