The WNIT produced a familiar pairing for Hawaii’s latest appearance in the 64-team consolation tournament.

UH, which lost a tough one in the Big West tournament championship game at the Honda Center on Saturday, learned Monday it is headed for Saint Mary’s in the Bay Area for a Friday matchup against the West Coast Conference team.

It’s the second time in coach Laura Beeman’s seven seasons UH was tabbed for Moraga, Calif., in the WNIT first round (2015). UH was also sent there in 2000 under Vince Goo. The program has never won a true road game in the WNIT (0-6).

“We’ll have our hands full, but I know we’re playing really good basketball right now,” said Beeman, who arrived back in Honolulu with her team on Sunday. “I was excited for these kids that they have the opportunity to continue to play. That’s what everyone wants this time of year, and I’m just really excited about that.”

UH (15-16) struggled intermittently over the course of the season, but came together late for four wins to get into the Big West final as a considerable underdog.

The Rainbow Wahine, as the Big West regular-season runners-up, received the conference’s automatic berth in the WNIT because UC Davis, the top seed, got the BWC’s berth into the NCAA tournament with its 58-50 win over the Wahine. UH came out hot, but the Aggies stunned them by storming back from down 17 points in the third quarter.

In 2015, by contrast, UH was the Big West favorite and the top seed, and had just been upset by Cal State Northridge in the final. On a quick and emotional turnaround, that 23-8 team lost a 92-88 overtime game to the Gaels despite Shawna Kuehu and Briana Harris rallying the Wahine from 18 points down in the second half.

Hawaii left frustrated after the hosts received 49 trips to the foul line to 23 for the visitors.

“A little bit different feel, obviously,” Beeman said of 2015. “I don’t think that (that team’s) heart was in going to the WNIT like I think this team is very excited about (it). So I’m hoping to be able to motivate them with, ‘be (my) first team to win a postseason game.’ Let’s continue to play as long as we can and celebrate each other. And I think that they feel that, and that they’re excited.”

These Gaels (20-11) are recovering from heartbreak of their own. They led No. 12 Gonzaga by a point in the final seconds of double overtime in the WCC semifinals, only to give up a layup at the buzzer and lose 78-77.

UH will have two practices here, then will fly out Wednesday afternoon and get in a practice at SMC’s facilities on Thursday.

“I take a deep breath. I’m just really proud of our girls, what they did down the stretch and what I know they still have in them,” Beeman said.