For the second time this season, the Hawaii women’s basketball team put itself in position to steal a game from Big West title contender UC Irvine.

And once again, the Rainbow Wahine fell agonizingly short. UH lost to the Anteaters in overtime, 68-66, at the Bren Events Center on Saturday afternoon, echoing an outcome at the Stan Sheriff Center on Jan. 19.

It overshadowed a career game from wing Meilani McBee, who scored 13 of her career-best 23 points in the fourth quarter to help UH rally from a nine-point second-half deficit.

UCI (22-5, 14-2) recorded its program-best win total when Nevaeh Parkinson got loose underneath the basket in the final play of the extra period and scored on an inbounds pass with 0.4 seconds left. UH did not get off a responding shot in time.

Rainbow Wahine coach Laura Beeman messaged Spectrum News after the game, “Really proud of the girls and their fight. The officiating was terrible and the girls never stopped competing.”

UH (13-14, 11-7 Big West) dropped into sole possession of fourth place with two home games remaining before the Big West tournament.

The Wahine trailed by five going into the fourth quarter, but McBee rallied her team with three 3-pointers in the period.

The third-year sophomore from Kennewick, Wash., exceeded her scoring total against Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 7 by one point and matched her jersey number. She hit on five of 10 3-point attempts and contributed a block and a steal.

“Meilani showed her courage and her grit. Incredibly proud of her,” Beeman said. “She put the team on her back. This team continues to fight for each other. I beyond love them for that.”

Freshman post Perez also had a career day with 13 points and nine rebounds. Forward Daejah Phillips contributed 11 points, five points and three assists. Point guard Lily Wahinekapu’s streak of games of double-digit scoring games came to an end at 12, as she scored nine.

Irvine went up by four points in overtime but UH hit consecutive 3s from Wahinekapu and Perez.

UCI’s Amelia Scharpf scored in the paint to tie it at 66 with 1:35 to play and no one scored until Parkinson’s winner. UH’s last chance was a miss by Phillips with seven seconds left.

Parkinson had 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Nikki Tom and Deja Lee scored 14 apiece to lead the Anteaters in the scoring column.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.