Gameday: at Cal Poly

To keep pace in the wild Big West, Hawaii must earn a split on its two-game road trip by taking one at Cal Poly today.

The Rainbow Warriors prevailed in 57-45 in Honolulu last month, in a game only a mother could love (and maybe not even them). Don’t be surprised if it’s a similar contest at Mott Athletics Center, replete with body blows.

UH (13-7, 4-3) is favored by four points over CP (7-15, 2-6). Tipoff is at 5 p.m. HST and is streamed on BigWest.TV.

The Bows held the Stangs to 3-for-19 shooting from 3 last time, well below their custom. But coach Joe Callero knows his team has shot it better, generally at home.

Mike Thomas could loom large for UH up front again; he’s got 53 points in the last two games, and Cal Poly has had an aversion to guarding athletic 4-men all season. Rebounding, surprisingly, has been a weakness for CP.

Brocke Stepteau, meanwhile, returned with gusto at UCSB on Thursday with 13 points and six assists. He’s hit multiple 3s in the last six games he’s played.

Around the Big West, UC Davis just beat Long Beach State at the Pyramid, 105-104, in double overtime when TJ Shorts II hit a running 3 at the final horn. That’s despite the absence of Chima Moneke, suspended indefinitely for team rules reasons, and 45 points from LBSU’s Gabe Levin in the loss. Wild West, indeed.

Also, the Rainbow Wahine basketball team’s road woes continued unabated, as they lost by 10 at UCSB. Sarah Toeaina moved up to 16 on the all-time scoring chart with 25 points.