Hawai'i's impressive road performance at the Mott Athletics Center resulted in a convincing 86-66 win over Cal Poly. The Rainbow Warriors, now 13-4 on the season, showed their depth and talent, with Gytis Nemeiksa leading the charge. The junior forward recorded a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, to pace Hawai'i's dominant effort.
From the opening tip, Hawai'i set the tone, taking a 41-36 lead into halftime. The Rainbow Warriors' offense was clicking, with Dre Bullock and Hunter Erickson contributing 20 and 15 points, respectively. Cal Poly, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency, despite Hamad Mousa's 17-point effort. The Mustangs' Peter Bandelj and Cayden Ward added 11 and 10 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Hawai'i's high-powered attack.
In the second half, Hawai'i continued to pull away, outscoring Cal Poly 45-30. The Rainbow Warriors' balanced attack proved too much for the Mustangs, who dropped to 7-14 on the season. Cal Poly's inability to contain Hawai'i's scoring threats ultimately led to their downfall, as the Rainbow Warriors shot efficiently and moved the ball effectively.
The 20-point margin of victory marked a significant win for Hawai'i, who now boast a 92 net ranking. While not an upset, the outcome highlights the gulf in quality between the two programs. Cal Poly, ranked 269, struggled to match Hawai'i's intensity and athleticism, particularly in the paint. The Mustangs' interior defense was exposed, allowing Hawai'i to score easily and control the boards.
With this result, Hawai'i solidified their position as a strong mid-major program. The win, classified as a Quadrant 4 victory for the Rainbow Warriors, may not significantly boost their tournament resume, but it demonstrates their ability to take care of business on the road. For Cal Poly, the loss represents a Quadrant 3 defeat, which, while not devastating, won't help their fading tournament hopes.
As the season progresses, Hawai'i want to build on this performance, leveraging their depth and talent to make a push for a postseason berth. With their current net ranking and a strong non-conference win like this, the Rainbow Warriors are positioning themselves for a potential at-large bid. Conversely, Cal Poly must regroup and focus on conference play, where they'll need to string together wins to revive their tournament aspirations. The loss to Hawai'i serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead for the Mustangs, who face an uphill climb to become a factor in the NCAA Tournament conversation.