In a thrilling finish, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors edged out the UC Irvine Anteaters 67-66 on March 15, 2024, at Bankoh Arena in Honolulu. Hunter Erickson delivered the decisive blow, sinking a jumper just as the buzzer sounded. This victory improved Hawaii’s overall record to 12-3 and their Big West Conference record to 4-1.
The game showcased intense competition, particularly between two of the conference’s top defensive teams. UC Irvine, entering the match with a perfect 5-0 record in the Big West, briefly took a 66-65 lead with just over 12 seconds remaining. Guard Derin Saran executed a precise layup after a swift pirouette. Following a timeout, Hawaii’s Harry Rouhliadeff inbounded the ball to Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, who called for another timeout at midcourt with 9.1 seconds left, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
With the clock ticking down, Erickson received a pass from Rouhliadeff at the left elbow. He then made a 14-foot jumper that found the net milliseconds before the final horn, sending the home crowd of 4,895 into a frenzy.
Defensive Battles Mark the Game
The match was characterized by aggressive defense on both sides. Hawaii’s center, Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson, faced early challenges, accruing his second foul just two minutes into the game for elbowing UC Irvine guard Tama Isaac. The physicality continued throughout the first half, exemplified when Hawaii wing Quandre “Dre” Bullock was struck on the right temple during a layup attempt. Bullock briefly left the game but returned five minutes later to contribute to his team’s efforts.
UC Irvine’s Kyle Evans, who leads the nation with an average of 3.1 blocks per game, was instrumental in maintaining pressure with two blocks in the first half. The Anteaters recorded a total of seven blocks before halftime. In response, Hawaii countered with five blocks, including two impressive chase-down blocks from Bullock on Saran.
Despite the defensive prowess, Hawaii struggled to penetrate the paint effectively. The team only converted 4 of 14 layup attempts in the first half. Gytis Nemeiksa managed to hit a floater with one minute remaining in the half, allowing the Rainbow Warriors to take a narrow 29-27 lead into the intermission.
The game highlighted the contrasting performances of key players. UC Irvine’s Jurian Dixon, who entered the game averaging 16.4 points per game, was unable to score in the first half, missing all three of his field-goal attempts.
As the competition unfolds, Hawaii’s last-second triumph against UC Irvine not only boosts their morale but also solidifies their position in the Big West standings. Both teams will look to build on this physical encounter as the season progresses.
