Niumatalolo hired as San Jose State coach
The University of Hawaii women’s basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the Big West Conference with a 64-52 victory over UC San Diego on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
The Rainbow Wahine improved to 9-7 overall, 6-1 in Big West play. The win, coupled with UC Santa Barbara’s loss to Cal State Fullerton, put UH alone atop the conference standings. The ‘Bows and Gauchos face off on Thursday in California.
Using their signature stifling defense and a fourth-quarter surge, Hawaii handled UC San Diego. UH led 14-5 after the first quarter and 31-19 at halftime. The Tritons were able to cut the lead down to 53-50 with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter before the Rainbow Wahine went on a 10-0 run to put the game away.
Lily Wahinekapu scored 16 points and Daejah Phillips
added 15 to lead UH. The Tritons (7-11, 3-4 Big West) got 15 points apiece from Sumayah Sugapong and Damilola Sule.
Earlier Saturday, the woes continued for the UH men’s basketball team as the Rainbow Warriors lost to UC San Diego 67-61 in La Jolla, Calif.
It was UH’s first-ever loss to the Tritons in seven all-time meetings. The Rainbow Warriors (10-9, 2-5) have dropped two straight and seven of nine overall.
Juan Munoz hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points to lead Hawaii, which committed a season-high 20 turnovers. Noel Coleman and JoVon McClanahan each had 11 points and Justin McCoy pulled down 10 rebounds.
Bryce Pope scored 21 points to lead the Tritons (12-7, 6-1).
The Rainbow Warriors next host UC Santa Barbara on Thursday.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State has hired former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo to replace Brent Brennan as the Spartans head coach.
Athletic director Jeff Konya announced the hiring on Sunday, saying Niumatalolo is the “right fit” for San Jose State and can make the Spartans consistent contenders in the Mountain West.
“We are thrilled that Coach Niumatalolo has accepted the opportunity to lead our football program,” Konya said in a statement. “He is a proven winner and brought the Naval Academy to unprecedented heights by winning eight or more games in nine seasons during his tenure. It’s impressive when you see that he had success against national brands like Notre Dame, Virginia, Kansas State and Pittsburgh, and even finished ranked inside the top 25 twice.”
Niumatalolo is the winningest coach in Navy history, going 109-83 in 15 seasons before being fired after the 2022 game against Army. During his time with the Midshipmen, Navy ran the triple-option offense. Niumatalolo, a native of Laie, Oahu, who played at the University of Hawaii, has said that if he got another chance to be a head coach, he would likely move away from the run-heavy scheme.
Niumatalolo spent last season at UCLA in an off-field role for head coach Chip Kelly, but was elevated to tight ends coach after the season.
“It wasn’t always perfect, but the will was there, the desire was there, the competitiveness was there,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said. “This is going to be a great learning experience for this group.”
The Americans next face Jamaica in a CONCACF Nations League semifinal March 21 in Arlington, Texas.