Cal Poly Women’s Basketball is traveling across the Pacific to face the No. 1 seed in the Big West, Hawai’i, tonight at 9.pm. at Stan Sheriff Center.
Coming off a 1-1 week, the Mustangs currently sit in eighth place in the Big West standings but are within striking distance of the top three.
The Mustangs (10-11, 5-6 Big West) are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Rainbow Wahine (15-6, 9-2 Big West), having not beaten them since 2021.
However, Hawai’i has shown some cracks this season, with two conference losses against Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara.
The Mustangs have already proven they can compete with top teams in the conference, securing wins over Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara, which handed Hawai’i its only conference losses.
Cal Poly has shown in these tough matchups that if they limit turnovers and shoot at the highest level, they can break their losing streak against the Rainbow Wahine.
Hawai’i is currently on a nine-game win streak, having only lost one conference game at home. While they have home-court advantage, the Mustangs beat both UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State on the road, and Cal Poly has a 3-2 record against Big West teams in away games.
Breaking through the defense
In its two previous games, the Mustangs have struggled to generate momentum on offense, with constant defensive pressure making it difficult for senior guard Annika Shah to find her rhythm from behind the arc.
That challenge will only intensify against Hawai’i, which boasts the top defense in the Big West, holding opponents to just 52.9 points per game and a 33.8% field-goal percentage.
If Cal Poly hopes to break through, they’ll need to find ways to create open looks and counter Hawai’i’s defensive pressure.
Tip-off against the Rainbow Wahine is set for 9 p.m. tonight.
