Long Beach State wrapped up its 2025-26 season on Saturday with a challenging 74-39 defeat to Hawai’i at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. The game marked the end of the road for senior guard, who received recognition during her final collegiate appearance. The Beach concluded their season with a record of 5-25 overall and 4-16 in Big West Conference play, while Hawai’i improved to 20-10 with a 14-6 conference performance.
Hawai’i set a dominant pace early in the matchup, quickly establishing a 22-5 lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks to their impressive shooting, including 60.0 percent from the field and a strong display of three-point shooting. In contrast, Long Beach State struggled offensively, making only 2 of 15 attempts during the opening period.
The Rainbow Wahine maintained their momentum into the second quarter, extending their lead to 35-13 by halftime after a 17-point scoring surge late in the quarter. Despite the uphill battle, Long Beach State demonstrated its best performance in the third quarter. The Beach found their shooting touch, hitting 5 of 11 from the field, including four three-pointers, and narrowing the deficit to 49-30 before Hawai’i pulled away again.
In the fourth quarter, it was Pepe’s Senior Day highlight that stood out as she converted a layup off a steal with just 52 seconds left, reducing the deficit to 72-39. Pepe ended her career with commendable stats, recording seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes on the court. Meanwhile, Ka led the team in scoring with 10 points, while Pukis contributed nine points from beyond the arc.
Overall, Long Beach State faced difficulties shooting, finishing the game at just 26.8 percent from the field and 5 of 22 from three-point range. In contrast, Hawai’i showcased a strong performance, hitting 53.4 percent of their shots and dominating in the paint with 46 points, while also enjoying a substantial 48-21 advantage on the boards.
As the season draws to a close, there were bright spots for Long Beach State, particularly through the determination and effort displayed by its senior players. With a focus on growth, the team will look to build on the lessons learned this season and aim for improvement in the upcoming year.