Big West Basketball Tournament: Wahine Upset No. 1 UC Irvine to Reach Final

It was chaos with cheers in the 2026 Big West Basketball Tournament on March 13, 2026, as the No. 4 seed Rainbow Wahine shocked top‑seeded UC Irvine, edging them out in a thriller to punch their ticket to the championship game. Hawai‘i pulled ahead in overtime drama, swinging the decisive momentum late and sealing the result with clutch buckets and tenacious defense that left Irvine stunned. Bailey Flavell ignited the comeback, and key performers stepped up when it mattered most, rewriting the narrative and electrifying fans. This wasn’t a routine semifinal; it was a seismic upset that flips the script of the Big West bracket and has everyone buzzing about who will claim the crown in Henderson.

Big West Basketball Tournament: How Hawai‘i Upset No. 1 UC Irvine to Reach the Final

What Was the Match Result and Key Stats?

In a classic Big West Basketball Tournament semifinal Friday, No. 4 Hawai‘i stunned No. 1 UC Irvine, 67‑63, in overtime to reach the championship game on March 13, 2026 at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. This was the headline result of the 2026 Big West Conference women’s bracket. 

Hawai‘i and Irvine played four tightly‑contested quarters before the Wahine seized control in OT. The Rainbow Wahine outscored the Anteaters 7‑3 in overtime, flipping the possession battle when it mattered most. 

Key performance data:

• Hawai‘i finished with 67 points to UC Irvine’s 63 (final OT). 
• Freshman Bailey Flavell led Hawai‘i scoring with 13 points, pacing the Wahine attack. 
• Hunter Hernandez paced UC Irvine with 18 points and 7 rebounds, but late free‑throw misses cost them. (ESPN.com)

Source: ESPN

The Wahine forced turnovers late and leveraged clutch shots to overcome a team that had dominated the regular season, underscoring the chaotic beauty of single‑elimination play.

What Was the Head‑to‑Head History Entering This Game? 

Hawai‘i and UC Irvine have one of the longest series in Big West women’s hoops. The Rainbow Wahine lead the all‑time matchup, and Hawai‘i had already claimed the most recent regular‑season meeting, a 55‑50 win on Jan. 29, 2026 in Honolulu. 

Earlier in this season, Irvine edged Hawai‘i 50‑47 on Jan. 10, 2026, illustrating a tight competitive bond between the schools. 

This recent upset in the Big West Basketball Tournament adds a dramatic chapter to that rivalry and shows Hawai‘i can impose its defensive will even on the league’s top seed.

What Were the Game Highlights and Tactical Moments? 

This matchup had momentum swings and high‑pressure moments. Irvine led early behind a potent offense averaging 71.7 points per game, but Hawai‘i’s persistence forced a grinding pace. 

Pivot points included:

• Clutch treys and free throws in the fourth quarter to tie the game and force overtime. 
• Defensive adjustments late kept Irvine under their scoring average, especially in transition defense. Hawks’ length disrupted Irvine ball movement and limited easy looks.
• Hawai‘i’s possession discipline improved in crunch time, maximizing high‑percentage attempts and reducing turnovers.

Individually, Flavell’s steady hands and late made shots changed the tide. Irvine hit several free throws but failed to close the gap in overtime, illustrating how pressure execution separates contenders from pretenders.

What Does This Mean for the Tournament? 

Hawai‘i’s upset dramatically shifts the Big West Basketball Tournament landscape. The Wahine will face No. 2 UC San Diego in the final on March 14, 2026 for the conference’s automatic NCAA bid. 

Irvine, despite a stellar 17‑3 conference mark, now must watch from the sidelines, likely headed for a WNIT invite. Hawai‘i’s win proves nothing is guaranteed in March, and this result shakes up seeding and narrative heading into Selection Sunday.

Final Remarks

In Big West tournament lore, this semifinal will be remembered as a signature upset. Hawai‘i’s defense, clutch shooting, and tactical poise powered them past a top seed and injected fresh drama into the final. For tournament fans, this result is a prime example of March madness unpredictability and a reminder that on any given day, tactical adjustments and player impact define legacy moments.

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