The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team faced the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in their Big West home opener on December 30, 2024. Despite a competitive matchup at the Stan Sheriff Center, the Rainbow Warriors fell short, losing with a final score of 75-60. The Warriors struggled offensively, shooting only 38% from the field, while UCSB shot 45%. Leading scorers for Hawaii included Bernardo da Silva with 15 points and JoVon McClanahan contributing 13 points. Coach Eran Ganot remarked after the game, “We need to come together as a unit and improve our execution on both ends of the floor.” This game marks the beginning of the Big West Conference play for the Warriors, who aim to regroup as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
