A loss in the Big West championship game cost the University of Hawaii its ultimate goal, but the Rainbow Wahine still have basketball left to play.
UH was selected on Monday for its third consecutive trip to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, opening Friday against St. Mary’s in Moraga Calif., at time to be determined.
The Gaels (20-5) finished fourth in the West Coast Conference and are working on their fourth consecutive 20-win season despite losing in the first round of their league tournament.
Coach Laura Beeman has led the Wahine to the WNIT in each of her first three seasons. UH (23-8), the Big West regular-season champion, had NCAA tournament aspirations until it lost to Cal State Northridge on Saturday, snapping its 15-game winning streak.
Friday’s winner plays either San Francisco or Fresno State, who play Thursday.