Hernandez Nabs Fourth Big West Player of the Week Award
January 12, 2026 | Women's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. – Senior Hunter Hernandez has been named the Big West Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the fourth time this season the conference office announced Monday afternoon.
Hernandez was recognized after recording her fourth and fifth-straight 20-point performances in another 2-0 week for UC Irvine.
On Thursday, Hernandez finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with seven rebounds in a 78-59 victory at Long Beach State. She went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, tying her career high in 3-pointers made. Two days later, the 5-foot-9 guard once again led all players with 20 points to lift the Anteaters to a 50-47 win over Big West preseason favorite Hawai'i. She scored 14 of her 20 in the second half to help UCI erase a third and fourth quarter deficit. Hernandez also had five boards and two steals against the 'Bows.
For the week, Hernandez averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 36.1% from the field and 55.6% from distance.
Hernandez previously earned three consecutive Big West Player of the Week awards from Dec. 8-22, 2025. She is the first Anteater in program history to win four weekly awards in a season.
Hernandez ranks fifth in the nation in free throws made (94) and 27th in scoring average (19.2 ppg).
UCI, which is on a 14-game win streak, continues its Big West homestand on Saturday, Jan. 17, when it welcomes UC Davis to the Bren Events Center for a 2 p.m. showdown.
Hernandez was recognized after recording her fourth and fifth-straight 20-point performances in another 2-0 week for UC Irvine.
On Thursday, Hernandez finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with seven rebounds in a 78-59 victory at Long Beach State. She went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, tying her career high in 3-pointers made. Two days later, the 5-foot-9 guard once again led all players with 20 points to lift the Anteaters to a 50-47 win over Big West preseason favorite Hawai'i. She scored 14 of her 20 in the second half to help UCI erase a third and fourth quarter deficit. Hernandez also had five boards and two steals against the 'Bows.
For the week, Hernandez averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 36.1% from the field and 55.6% from distance.
Hernandez previously earned three consecutive Big West Player of the Week awards from Dec. 8-22, 2025. She is the first Anteater in program history to win four weekly awards in a season.
Hernandez ranks fifth in the nation in free throws made (94) and 27th in scoring average (19.2 ppg).
UCI, which is on a 14-game win streak, continues its Big West homestand on Saturday, Jan. 17, when it welcomes UC Davis to the Bren Events Center for a 2 p.m. showdown.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's BasketballRIPPING THREES 3️⃣
Wednesday, March 25
Dropped & Drained 🫢
Tuesday, March 24
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 🤣🎙️
Wednesday, February 18
Pregame with Reese 🎙️
Wednesday, February 11
