UAA Women's Basketball Returns to Hawaii for Key West Region Road Trip

The Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball team faces a demanding road trip this week, returning to Hawaii for the second time in three weeks to square off against a trio of Pacific West Conference opponents.

Following a hard-fought sweep of the College of Idaho on home turf, the Seawolves aim to build momentum in a series of contests starting Friday against Chaminade.

The stakes for head coach Matt Thune’s squad are clear as they transition from their home court in Anchorage to the warmer climate of the 50th state.

With a 3-2 record, UAA is looking to stabilize its standing in the NCAA Division II West Region rankings before the conference schedule intensifies. The trip marks a return to familiar territory for the team, which opened its season at the Hoops In Hawaii Tip-Off Classic in late October.

The road ahead

The schedule begins this Friday at 6 p.m. AST at McCabe Gymnasium in Honolulu against Chaminade. The Seawolves will then travel to The Shark Tank on Saturday for a 2 p.m. matchup against Hawaii Pacific.

The final leg of the tour takes them to the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo on Tuesday to face Hawaii Hilo.

Fans looking to follow the action can access live video broadcasts for all three games via the PacWest Network, though each contest requires a pay-per-view purchase.

UAA premieres at No. 5 in West Region rankings | University of Alaska Anchorage ⁦@smcollegehoops⁩ ⁦@AKSportsReport⁩ https://t.co/7wiGtd4mYR

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Building on recent wins

The Seawolves carry confidence into these games after a dramatic home stand at the Alaska Airlines Center. Last week’s sweep of the College of Idaho proved the team’s resilience, particularly in the second game where they overcame a 24-minute deficit to secure a 71-70 victory.

Senior guard Bridgette Tello has been the engine of the offense, averaging 15.4 points per game and earning a spot on the Hoops In Hawaii Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team.

Her ability to consistently contribute in the paint and from the perimeter has been a primary reason for the team’s efficiency this season.

“The Seawolves have produced 18 20-win seasons in 47 full years of program history,” according to the University of Alaska Anchorage athletic department records. This statistical consistency remains the bar for Thune, who is now in his second season at the helm.

The tactical challenge

Thune, who arrived in Anchorage after successful assistant stints at Utah Tech, Eastern Kentucky, and Weber State, has prioritized defensive intensity and depth. The current roster blends veteran leadership with emerging talent, such as sophomore Mylee Anderson, who has started every game of her career and currently leads the team in assists and steals.

However, the opposition in Hawaii presents a tactical hurdle. Chaminade is coming off an 11-day layoff, while Hawaii Pacific remains a difficult test, particularly given their perimeter shooting threats.

Hawaii Hilo, meanwhile, opened their season with a high-scoring 104-90 win over UAF, signaling they are capable of pushing the pace against any defense.

The Seawolves’ ability to control the glass will be critical. Senior forward Lillee Duffin has been a force in the rebound column, averaging 7.2 per game. Her performance in the paint will be tested against the physical style of the Pacific West Conference clubs.

A test of endurance

While the team has enjoyed a historic run of success—winning 82 of their last 92 regular-season games against Division II non-conference opponents—the travel demands of the 2026-27 schedule are significant. Balancing academic obligations with the logistics of back-to-back-to-back road games in the islands requires a specific type of discipline.

The question remains whether the team’s depth, bolstered by newcomers like Kyla Momberg and freshman Kinzley Larsen, can maintain the defensive pressure required to win on the road.

With the conference tournament looming later in the season, these early-year regional matchups function as a litmus test for the program’s postseason aspirations.

As the Seawolves prepare for the opening tip-off on Friday, the focus is squarely on the execution of their transition defense. The results of this three-game stretch will likely define the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the calendar year.