Hawai'i reaches NCAA tournament for first time since 2016

Hawai'i beat UC Irvine 71-64 to win the Big West Championship and secure its first NCAA tournament berth since 2016.

Isaac Johnson scored 22 points as No. 2 seed Hawai'i defeated top-seeded UC Irvine 71-64 in Henderson, Nev., to claim the Big West Championship. The victory earned the Rainbow Warriors their first NCAA tournament berth since 2016. Hawai'i led for most of the game and took a decisive lead on Johnson's layup with about 10 minutes remaining. The title is coach Eran Ganot's first Big West championship with the program. Key details: - Final score: Hawai'i 71, UC Irvine 64; Hawai'i entered the game 24-8 and UC Irvine was 23-11. - Isaac Johnson led Hawai'i with 22 points and delivered the layup that put his team ahead for good. - Harry Rouhliadeff finished with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. - Dre Bullock added 15 points and seven rebounds, including a late breakaway two-hand slam that helped seal the win. - For UC Irvine, Jurian Dixon scored 17 points while Derin Saran and Kyle Evans had 13 apiece and Andre Henry scored 12. - Hawai'i had been 0-3 previously against UC Irvine in Big West tournament matchups (2013, 2018 quarterfinals and 2015 finals). Summary: Hawai'i's win returns the program to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016 and gives coach Eran Ganot his first Big West title. The victory secured the conference's automatic NCAA berth. Undetermined at this time.