Warriors give up big lead in tough loss

The University of Hawai‘i Warriors lost a 71-69 heartbreaker to the New Mexico State Aggies, Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

After building a 40-28 halftime lead, Hawai‘i (9-10, 2-4) gave up 43 second-half points to allow New Mexico State (12-7, 5-1) to snatch the road victory.

Jahmar Young scored a game-high 26 points for the Aggies, while also pulling down six rebounds.

Roderick Flemings was the high-point man for the Warriors, scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and notching a double-double by grabbing 10 boards.

Brandon Adams added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors’ effort.

The Warriors could not find the range from distance all night, ending up 5-of-19 from three-point land.

Turnovers were also a factor as the Aggies committed just nine to the Warriors’ 17.

Hawai‘i will take on Louisiana Tech at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Late rally can’t bring Wahine to victory

The University of Hawai’i rallied late against Louisiana Tech on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lady Techsters pulled away down the stretch for a 75-62 victory at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, La.

The Rainbow Wahine fall to 8-11 overall and 2-4 in Western Athletic Conference play. Louisiana Tech improved to 12-4 overall and 3-1 in conference action.

UH plays its final game of its two-game road trip against Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Boise, Idaho at 7 p.m. MT (4 p.m. HT).

On Thursday night, UH turned up the defensive effort in the second half, holding Louisiana Tech to 33.3 percent shooting, cutting the lead to 65-55 with 6:11 left in the game.

The Rainbow Wahine couldn’t cut into the lead after that.

Junior Allie Patterson scored a game-high 18 points coming off the bench and senior Dita Liepkalne had 15 points, including three 3-pointers.