UC Davis Rally Stuns Hawaii in Big West Opener

UC Davis Women's Basketball Completes Dramatic Comeback Against Hawaii

In a stunning turn of events during their Big West conference opener, the UC Davis Aggies women's basketball team completed an incredible comeback against the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, scoring the final 18 points of the game to secure a 68-63 victory. The game took place at the University Credit Union Center in Davis, California, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Hawaii appeared to be in control for much of the contest, leading by as many as 13 points with just four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Behind strong performances from Bailey Flavell and Saniyah Neverson, the Rainbow Wahine looked poised to open their Big West campaign with a road victory.

"UC Davis scored the final 18 points in the fourth quarter to storm back and defeat Hawaii 68-63 tonight in the Big West women's basketball opener for both teams."

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final minutes. The Aggies, led by standout Megan Norris who finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, mounted an improbable comeback. Nya Epps made consecutive 3-pointers and gave UC Davis the lead with just 1:16 remaining. The Aggies then made their final four shots from the field to seal the victory.

Hawaii's Turnover Woes Prove Costly

The Rainbow Wahine's downfall can be attributed largely to their struggles with ball security. Hawaii turned the ball over 25 times throughout the game, with five of those costly turnovers coming during UC Davis's game-deciding 18-0 run. Freshman guard Bailey Flavell, who scored a team-high 22 points with 12 of those coming in the fourth quarter, was particularly plagued by turnovers, committing nine herself.

The loss marks Hawaii's fourth consecutive defeat after the team opened the season with a 4-0 record. Head coach Laura Beeman has now seen her team lose four games in a row over the last seven days, a concerning trend as the team enters conference play.

UC Davis Aggies Dominate in Key Areas

The Aggies' victory was built on their ability to capitalize on Hawaii's mistakes while maintaining their own offensive efficiency. Megan Norris was a force inside, scoring 12 of her team-high 26 points in the fourth quarter. Her performance was complemented by the team's ability to hit from beyond the arc, with UC Davis ranking eighth nationally with 10.3 three-pointers per game.

UC Davis improved to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in Big West play with the victory. The Aggies have now won three consecutive games, including victories over Jacksonville State and Milwaukee in the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off tournament.

Conference Context and Implications

Both Hawaii and UC Davis are in their farewell seasons in the Big West Conference before joining the Mountain West starting with the 2026-27 season. This game added extra significance as both programs look to make a statement in their final Big West campaign.

The Aggies now lead the all-time series 18-14, though Hawaii had been more successful in recent matchups, splitting their regular-season meetings the past two seasons. Both teams have combined to win eight of the last nine Big West regular-season championships, with Hawaii capturing the last two titles.

For Hawaii, the loss continues a troubling slide as they now face Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, December 6, in their second consecutive road game. The Rainbow Wahine will need to address their turnover issues quickly if they hope to regain their early-season form.

Meanwhile, UC Davis will look to build on this impressive victory as they continue their Big West schedule with momentum on their side.