FULLERTON, CALIF. » Twice, a victory over Cal Poly was within Hawaii’s grasp. Twice, the Rainbow Wahine were unable to seal the deal.

On Friday, they have a chance to atone for that.

When third-seeded UH (17-12) tips off against the No. 2 Mustangs in the Big West tournament semifinals at the Honda Center (at roughly 11:30 a.m. HST), it will no longer be about the past. A victory over the Mustangs (17-12) would instantly undo two months-worth of what-ifs at the excruciating finishes that ultimately cost UH a chance at the conference regular-season title.

"This is the matchup I want," UH coach Laura Beeman said. "I feel like those were two winnable games."

First, there was the infamous 78-74 overtime loss in Honolulu in which the Wahine led by four points with 11 seconds less in regulation but were unable to hold on. Then there was a 62-60 defeat in San Luis Obispo that the Wahine were in it until the final minute, only to succumb to clutch shot-making by the Mustangs.

"It’s always been in the back of my mind, but I never let it bother me," wing Shawna Kuehu said. "What was done was done. Now this is a perfect moment that we’ve all been waiting for."

The common thread between both losses was poor free-throw shooting. UH made 22 of 34 (64.7 percent) at the Stan Sheriff Center and 7-for-15 (46.7 percent) at Mott Gym. Those were hard numbers to swallow for a team shooting 71.8 percent at the stripe for the season.

UH was clutch in that aspect in Wednesday night’s 52-49 second-round defeat of Long Beach State on the 49ers’ court. The Wahine were 11-for-12, including two perfect splashes by point guard Morgan Mason with 6.9 seconds left.

"We’ve gotten so much better the last two times we’ve played them," Mason said. "More people are able to score as opposed to the other two games where we were able to just look for Mia (Kamilah Jackson) or Shawna. Now we have Ashleigh (Karaitiana) or even myself or Destiny (King). More people can score that Cal Poly probably is not as prepared for."

Meanwhile Cal Poly, as the No. 2 seed, earned a double-bye into the semifinals and was content to watch the first two days of the tournament play out.

The Wahine were loose at a practice at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Gym on Thursday. Senior Kamilah Jackson (right foot sprain) is inching closer to a return to action from a seven-game absence and may see some light minutes Friday, but should the Wahine advance to Saturday’s championship game, that is the likelier return opportunity for the all-conference forward.

One more victory gets UH its most overall victories since the 2005-06 squad went 18-10, and earns the program its first conference title game appearance since the 2001-02 team lost to Louisiana Tech 53-50 for the WAC championship.

Beeman said the team did some light celebrating after Wednesday’s win. Now, she takes a no-pressure approach into Friday confident that even with a loss, the season won’t be over as a second straight WNIT appearance is possible.

"We’re not supposed to win," she said. "We’re supposed to win one game and call it a day. We’re a No. 3 seed, Cal Poly’s a No. 2. We have to travel, they do too but not to the extent. We have to play an extra game, they don’t. … they’re the better seed than we are. So, on and on and on, when I look at it, they’re supposed to beat us. I don’t feel like there’s pressure on us. If we lose, everyone (will be) like, ‘great job Hawaii, got your first win. Did exactly what you’re supposed to do.’

"Cal Poly better win and got to the championship."

Junior guard Ariana Elegado (17.0 ppg) is the most dangerous performer for the defending Big West tournament champions, capable of erupting for 30 points on any given night. She and teammates Molly Schlemer and Jonae Ervin each eclipsed 1,000 career points this season.

Point guard Jonae Ervin went for a career-best 37 in Honolulu with UH concerned about stopping the other two. The 6-foot-5 senior Molly Schlemer (17.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg) still commands plenty of attention.

UH must be wary of all three; they account for 61 percent of Poly’s offense.

"Two great guards," senior Sydney Haydel said of Elegado and Ervin. "What we have to do is play really solid team defense. … We have to make sure the lanes don’t look open. Everyone will play a part in stopping those two guards."

UH continues to allow the fewest points per game in the league at 62.6. Poly allows a league-worst 77.6.

Kuehu (10.5 ppg) and Karaitiana (10.6 ppg and 18 points Wednesday) remain UH’s two top offensive options with Jackson sidelined.