Hawai‘i Falls to Arkansas in March Madness Return
By Kennedy Choo
As the final buzzer sounded at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the No. 13-seeded University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors walked off the floor having given it everything they had in their first March Madness appearance in ten years, falling 97–78 to the No. 4-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks.
What began as a season filled with uncertainty quickly transformed into a magical run in Hawai‘i’s Big West campaign, culminating in a conference championship and a return to the postseason for the first time in a decade.
After starting 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-4 from deep, falling into an early 26–7 deficit, the Rainbow Warriors caught fire. A 9–0 run, capped by a Dre Bullock fastbreak dunk, cut the deficit to ten with 9:46 remaining in the first half.
From there, Hawai‘i (24–9, 14–6 Big West) kept it within reach. Senior center Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson knocked down a breakaway three to make it 34–24 with 7:33 left, and moments later, junior forward Ike Finlinson buried a corner three to trim the deficit to nine; the closest Hawai‘i would get all night.
Despite the push, Arkansas (27–8, 13–5 SEC) used its tempo and guard play to maintain control. Led by potential lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr., who had 14 points and three assists in the first half, the Razorbacks carried a 54–36 lead into halftime.
Arkansas opened the second half with the same intensity, extending its lead to 70–51 with 12:53 remaining after a tough finish from Acuff Jr.
Hawai‘i continued to respond. With 10:42 left, senior forward Gytis Nemeiksa connected on a three from the left wing off a pass from junior guard Isaiah Kerr, cutting the deficit to 15. But each push was met with an answer.
The Rainbow Warriors battled with the Southeastern Conference champions throughout, but ultimately could not complete the upset, falling 97–78 in the first round of March Madness.
Bullock finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson closed his Hawai‘i career with 15 points, five rebounds, and a steal.
On the other side, Acuff Jr. finished with 24 points, three rebounds, and seven assists.
“Hawai‘i will always be a piece of home, no matter where I am in the world,” said Johnson in a postgame press conference. “It’s due to the support and love from the people. They’re not afraid to show their love and support for us.”
“I call that the power of the Hawai‘i fanbase. There’s nothing like it,” said head coach Eran Ganot. “We’re 2,500 miles away from here, and we feel like we’re home.”
The University of Hawai‘i will move to the Mountain West Conference this year, closing its chapter in the Big West and carrying the momentum of a breakthrough season into a new era of competition.