2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship Final - No. 2 seed UC San Diego 60, No. 4 seed Hawai'i

Box score | UCSD presser | UH presser
HENDERSON, Nev. — The second-seeded UC San Diego Tritons are back-to-back champions after a comeback win over No. 4 seed Hawai'i in the finale of the 2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship from Lee's Family Forum. 

UCSD claimed the 60-48 victory by exploiting UH's turnovers, converting 19 giveaways into 21 points. A strong defensive effort was highlighted by the Tritons' 11 steals, which helped maintain control in the second half. Despite UH's early lead, USCD's consistent scoring in the paint, totaling 34 points, proved decisive in the outcome. 

The Tritons sport a 24-8 record on the year as double-champions in the league, earning a share of the regular-season crown to go along with the postseason trophy. The team now makes consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship in their first two years of eligibility after a four-year reclassification period from Division II. 

UCSD will learn their seed and destination on Selection Sunday as the bracket is unveiled March 15 at 5 o'clock on ESPN.

Both teams saw a slow start to the contest shooting a combined 2-for-14 to open the game before Hawai'i got on a roll to close out the quarter with the 13-9 lead. UH grew the lead in the second frame, leveraging a strong shooting performance and an 11-point contribution from its bench. 

A Jovi Lefotu layup with 4:05 on the clock put the score at 21-16 and a triple from Best Sixth Player Ritorya Tamilo extended the lead to double figures with 2:57 remaining. The halftime advantage for Hawai'i was eight after a Dymonique Maxie steal and last-second heave for the Tritons missed the mark as time expired with the score at 28-20. 

UH opened the period with a steal and score for Big West Freshman of the Year Bailey Flavell and a Saniyah Nevererson layup to make it 32-21 before UCSD was able to take control. The Tritons capitalized on turnovers and dominated the boards to outscore UH 20-9 in the frame. 

A Rosa Smith triple on the assist from the inside-outside pass from Erin Condron forced a UH timeout with the score at 32-28 with 5:16 to play in the period. Makayla Rose capped an 11-0 run with a pair of free throws from the line to make it a 32-all. Condron's successful trip to the stripe with 31 seconds remaining gave the Tritons the lead for good. 

UCSD generated 14 points off turnovers while forcing nine from UH in the third. The Tritons outrebounded the Rainbow Wahine 14-6 in the 10-minute span to gain the 40-37 edge heading into the final 10 minutes.  

USCD dominated the final quarter, outscoring UH 20-11 by leveraging a strong inside presence, scoring 14 points in the paint. The Tritons converted on 10-of-15 field goal attempts in the quarter to close with the 60-48 victory. 

All-Tournament Team selection Condron led the Tritons with game highs of 22 points on 20-for-18 shooting and 14 rebounds for a double-double. Rose, Championship Most Outstanding Player, added 17 points with eight rebounds and a game-best five steals with Maxie dishing out five assists. 

For UH, All-Tournament selection Flavell led in the loss with 13 points and five boards. 

Now, the national postseason awaits with a prominent pedigree continuing the family tradition. 

A VanDerveer has coached in the NCAA Tournament for the last 29 seasons, dating back to 1996-97, as UC San Diego's leader Heidi VanDerveer keeps the tradition alive. Tara and Heidi have combined for 40 appearances at three institutions.

In the DII era, the Tritons appeared in the bracket 13 times and advanced to the national semifinals in 2007, and UCSD continues to see success as a DI program. 

2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
Erin Condron, UC San Diego
Bailey Flavell, Hawai'i
Hunter Hernandez, UC Irvine
Imani Perez, Hawai'i
Makayla Rose, UC San Diego (MOP)
Avery Sussex, UC Davis