LIHU‘E — The University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball team took three-time league champion Utah State down to the wire before eventually falling, 74-66, in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, states
LIHU‘E — The University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball team took three-time league champion Utah State down to the wire before eventually falling, 74-66, in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, states a release from the UH athletic department.
A year ago in Logan, UH (9-4, 0-1 WAC) suffered a 44-point loss to the Aggies — the worst conference loss in school history. It was an entirely different story this year as the ’Bows gave the Aggies, winners of 23 straight home games, all they could handle. UH trailed by just two points on five separate occasions in the second half, including as late as 2:30 left when UH was down 63-61.
The Aggies (12-2, 1-0 WAC), however, scored on each of their final five possessions to stave off the upset-minded ’Bows. Utah State has now won 15 straight WAC regular-season games and 25 straight league home games. UH, meanwhile, dropped its 13th straight road game dating back to 2009.
UH shot 63 percent from the floor — its best performance in nearly four years — but was blasted on the boards by the Aggies, 32-13. The Aggies also converted 25-of-35 (83 percent) of their free throws and sealed the win on the line where they scored 12 of their final 16 points.
Zane Johnson tied his career-high with 24 points, including 17 in the second half to keep UH close. Hiram Thompson finished with 13 points and tied his career high with nine assists before fouling out with 1:48 remaining in the game.
WAC Preseason Player of the Year Tai Wesley recorded a double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds for Utah State, while going a perfect 11-of-11 from the line.
Utah State started the second half by scoring seven straight points to take an 11-point lead, the largest of the game. The Aggies would not relinquish their advantage, but UH never made it easy for the Aggies, remaining in the game through the final moments.
UH now heads to Reno for a nationally televised game against Nevada on New Year’s Eve. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. PT (3 p.m. Hawaiian) at the Lawlor Events Center and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Jackson’s huge night leads Wahine
The Rainbow Wahine improved to 2-0 at the Pepsi Rainbow Wahine Invitational behind a monster game from Kamilah Jackson, knocking off Cal State Bakersfield 84-74, Wednesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Jackson had 31 points and 25 rebounds, easily game-highs in both categories, to lead Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i, which was coming off a 71-46 win over Columbia on Tuesday, got 22 points from Keisha Kanekoa and 13 from Shawna-Lei Kuehu.
Kristine Herman led CS Bakersfield with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Tyonna Outland had 15 points, five boards and five assists.
UH did all of its damage from inside the arc, making none of its seven three-point attempts, but shooting 28-of-58 (48 percent) from inside it. The Wahine were 28 for 35 (80 percent) from the foul line.
The Invitational will conclude today as the Wahine look to make it a clean sweep against UNLV at 7 p.m.
