MĀNOA — On a night where the University of Hawai‘i men's basketball program honored one of its greatest past figures, the current team proved it could also be a group of players worth honoring one day.
In front of a Stan Sherif Center season-high turnstile crowd of 8,103, the Rainbow Warriors prevailed 78-75 over UC Santa Barbara in overtime. The 'Bows improved to 19-7 overall and 11-5 in Big West play, moving into a three-way tie with UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge for first place in the conference standings.
On Saturday night, Hawai‘i was down 32-30 to the Gauchos (17-11, 10-7) at halftime. During the 15-minute intermission, the program honored Anthony "AC" Carter, retiring his No. 23 jersey. At the end of the ceremony, his 23 jersey was officially in the rafters with Bob Nash's No. 32.
"I just want to say mahalo to everybody, and thank y'all for all the memories that y'all gave me," Carter said during his speech.
The biggest lead in Saturday night's game belonged to UC Santa Barbara, which held a 48-40 advantage with 11:46 remaining. The 'Bows continued to chip away, sending the game to overtime on a Harry Rouhliadeff tip-in with 2.4 seconds remaining. Aidan Mahaney's desperation heave from halfcourt barely missed, sending the Gauchos and 'Bows to overtime tied at 68.
An Isaac Johnson free throw with 1:02 remaining proved to be the final score of the game for either team. UC Santa Barbara had consecutive empty possessions to end the game, including a CJ Shaw desperation 3-point attempt that was short at the buzzer, giving the Rainbow Warriors a hard-fought win over the perennial Big West contenders in the final regular season matchup as members of the conference. Hawai‘i is leaving for the Mountain West in July.
Adding to the grand nature of the night was the game itself, which was televised nationally on ESPNU. With all the aligned circumstances culminating in a Hawai‘i victory, 11th-year head coach Eran Ganot will keep Saturday night's contest stashed away in a special place in the memory banks.
"This is one I'll never forget," Ganot said. "All things considered, I will never forget that. I heard fans say it, I heard players say it, coaches. I cannot thank the power of the Hawai‘i fan base (enough) for the love and passion and emotion they showed in there."
Under Ganot, the Rainbow Warriors have not made an NCAA Tournament since 2016. In 2025, they missed the conference altogether. This year, the 'Bows aren't satisfied with merely making the conference tournament. Saturday's victory put the 'Bows right back in contention for the top seed with just four regular season games remaining.
Carter's return to Mānoa prompted dozens of other former UH men's players and coaches to come on Saturday and engage in the festivities, some who had suited up for the 'Bows over 50 years ago.
Ganot, a New Jersey native, got his first full-time gig in college basketball as UH's director of basketball operations as a 24-year-old in 2006. Twenty years later, he still prides himself on being a Hawai‘i basketball historian. After seeing so many of the program's greats in one night witness a crucial victory, he found himself overcome with emotion at times.
"I was getting a little emotional," Ganot said. "How do you not get emotional? There's some places you have bitter alums, like they're not rooting for you or something, or everybody. Our legacies are about making it better than you found it. And when your time is done, support the next group like all hell. You want them to be better than you."
Part of Carter's week on O‘ahu was to speak to the team during practice. The Rainbow Warriors took his words to heart.
"It meant a lot. He's a legend here. Always pay respect to our former players," said Dre Bullock, who scored a game-high 21 points. "He talked to us for about a good 20, 30 minutes just about life and basketball, just playing for each other. ... Don't worry about points, other stuff going on, distractions, just play hard. Give the fans a show, because they pay to see us play. The best thing we can do is just give them a show, play hard, whatever it takes to win."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
