Arnold likes UH’s conference hoops draw

Hawaii coach Gib Arnold reacted favorably on Saturday to his team’s draw of UC Irvine in the first round of next week’s Big West tournament.

Irvine (18-14, 11-7), the fourth seed, overcame a 19-point halftime deficit at UC Davis and won 88-85 to make the pairing happen. Otherwise, fifth-seeded UH (17-14, 10-8) — which was idle Saturday — would have received the sixth seed and met No. 3 Cal Poly in the first round.

UH and UCI play at roughly 6:30 p.m. Hawaii time on Thursday at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

Arnold, who has been recruiting in California since his team’s 88-75 loss at Cal State Northridge on Thursday, said he wasn’t score-watching when Irvine put up a 60-point second half to complete the Big West regular season.

UH and UCI split their meetings in the regular season, with each team winning at home. The Anteaters won in Irvine, 68-64, on Jan. 9 and the Rainbow Warriors took the Honolulu matchup 78-72 on Feb. 9.

"You know, I feel like we match up well with Irvine," Arnold said over the phone. "Obviously both of our games have been close. Like everyone in this conference, I think all these teams are really, really tight. You can tell because it came down to the last day. I don’t think there’s a real favorite in any of the games. I don’t. I think any team one through eight can get a victory."

UH resumes practice today at home now that it knows its opponent. It heads to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Fujikawa ties for 27th at Irish Creek

Hawaii’s Tadd Fujikawa shot a 1-under 70 in the final round of the eGolf Irish Creek Classic on Saturday, finishing in a tie for 27th place.

Fujikawa posted a four-round total of 3-over 287 at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, N.C., earning $1,312.50.

Ryan Nelson of Charleston, S.C., finished at 14 under to win the tournament by six strokes.

Vulcans take 2 from Seasiders

Brandi Wilson went 4-for-5 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs for the day as Hawaii Hilo swept a Pacific West Conference softball doubleheader from Brigham Young-Hawaii on Saturday in Hilo.

In the first game, Wilson hit a solo homer in the Vulcans’ five-run third inning as UHH beat BYUH 8-0. The Vulcans’ Ashley Nelson tossed a five-inning, complete-game shutout.

The Vulcans (16-12, 7-3) won the second game 5-3. The Seasiders fell to 5-15 and 2-2.

Naeole, Brown to speak at QB Club

University of Hawaii offensive line coach Chris Naeole and UH diving coach Mike Brown will be the guest speakers at the Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon on Monday at the Maple Garden restaurant.

Lunch is at 11:30 a.m., with the program following at noon. The cost is $15 per person.