This was one helluva dogfight!

 

The University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team came through with a clutch win over the defending Big West champs, Long Beach State on Saturday in a 79-70 decision.

 

The first half saw another slow start from the 'Bows, and a major cold streak in them as they went 1-for-22 on field goals until a triple from Samuta Avea generated a spark and the buckets started to fall. Despite LBSU's athleticism, UH got a layup from Bernardo da Silva in the waning seconds of the first half to take a 30-27 lead into halftime.

 

In the second half, the see-saw battle continued, even with LBSU taking a lead of a half-dozen or so. Fortunately, UH showed they were just as stubborn by knocking down 7 triples to LBSU's 2. UH also got a whopping 25 pts. from Noel Coleman, followed by 17 from Avea, 15 from JoVon McClanahan, and a monster game from both Bernardo da Silva and Kamaka Hepa. Da Silva had 9 pts. and 12 rebounds, while Kamaka Hepa had 11 pts. and a team-high 14 rebounds. UH ultimately out-rebounded the Beach, 48-39, and won the second half, 49-43.

 

UH's bench was short-handed as Justus Jackson did not play due to inflammation in his knee. That meant Coach Eran Ganot had to rely on the presence of walk-on Kody Williams; Williams did not score, but he got a key assist and is learning the tempo of the BWC opponents.

 

Bench points and points in the paint hurt the most. UH only got 2 bench points to LBSU's 20 -- mainly because Jackson was on the sidelines. UH also got slammed on points in the paint, 50-28, and normally, when teams get out-scored in the paint by that much, that's a recipe for a loss; however, UH kept themselves in the hunt via their defense.

 

Up next is Cal State Northridge (CSUN), who are winless in the BWC (0-6). UH improves to 4-1 in the BWC. Tipoff will be on Monday, Jan. 16 at 5 PM HST.