HONOLULU (Interstat) — A surging Hawaii team looks to solidify its standing near the top of the Big West Conference when it hosts a struggling UC Riverside squad on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors (21-7 overall) enter the matchup with momentum, having won five of their last six games, including an 87-85 road victory at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. Guard Dre Bullock led that effort with 27 points and has been a key scorer, averaging 18.1 points over his last seven contests.

They face a UC Riverside team (10-21) that has lost eight of its last 10 games. The Highlanders’ season has been defined by inconsistency, though they are coming off a 95-84 home win over Cal State Northridge. In that game, guard Marqui Worthy erupted for a career-high 38 points. Worthy has been a bright spot, scoring 20 or more points in four of his last eight games and averaging 20.6 points per game in that stretch.

The previous meeting this season heavily favors Hawaii. On Jan. 1, the Warriors dominated the Highlanders 88-45 in Riverside, California, in one of the most lopsided results in the series history.

Hawaii’s balanced attack, which also features consistent contributions from Isaac Johnson and Harry Rouhliadeff, will test a UC Riverside defense that has allowed 78.8 points per game in its recent 2-8 skid. The Warriors are 11-2 at home this season.

For UC Riverside to pull an upset, it will need another high-volume scoring night from Worthy and must find a way to slow Bullock and Hawaii’s efficient offense. The game is critical for Hawaii as it jockeys for postseason positioning ahead of the Big West tournament.

Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. local time (11 p.m. PST) at Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii’s next game is at home against Long Beach State on Saturday, March 7.