It is back to the drawing board again.

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The University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team concluded their first road trip with a loss to the Cal State Northridge Matadors at the Premier America Credit Union Arena, 76-66, on Saturday. This loss snaps a four-game win streak UH had over Northridge going back to 2021.

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JoVon McClanahan led the 'Bows with 23 points on 8-for-18 shooting and was 3-for-7 from 3-point range. Noel Coleman was next with 13 points and 4-for-9 from 3-point range. Justin McKoy rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points.

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De'Sean Allen-Eikens led the Matadors with 20 points, and he was 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Gianni Hunt was next with 16 on 5-for-9 shooting. Keonte Jones was next with 13, and Dionte Bostick rounded out CSUN's double-digit scorers with 11.

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UH came out of the gate firing. McClanahan took the first 11 points for UH and was the only UH scorer for a brief time. The 'Bows kept a lead until CSUN came back to tie things up. More 'Bows got in the book, which started with a Coleman free throw.

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The first half was all about runs, as UH sparked the first significant run. CSUN then sparked a 9-1 run and took a brief lead. UH responded though.

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The teams traded the lead multiple times until a Harry Rouhliadeff triple put UH in front. The last five minutes were back and forth.

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In the last 32 seconds, Coleman banked another of UH's seven triples to put UH ahead, 37-34, but Bostick responded with CSUN's first triple of the game.

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At halftime, UH and CSUN were tied at 37 apiece with McClanahan leading all scorers with a whopping 17.

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Gianni Hunt started the second half with a triple for the Matadors, but UH responded with a Ryan Rapp triple and a McClanahan layup to put UH back in front.

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At the first media timeout, it was UH in front, 47-45.

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The two teams traded the lead, but CSUN pulled out a late six-point lead, 69-63, to put the writing on the wall. UH fell victim to crunch time play again, as they were outscored, 14-5, in the waning minutes. UH also fell victim to five steals from Jones, and were out-blocked, 7-3.

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Despite UH nailing 11 triples to CSUN's three, free throws were a big speed bump, as UH went 13-for-18 to CSUN's 25-for-30.

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UH drops to 1-2 in Big West play while CSUN improves to a perfect 3-0. UH will come back home for two home games against UC Irvine on Jan. 11, and UC Riverside on Jan. 13. Both tipoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m. HST. You can watch both games on Spectrum Sports or listen on the radio at ESPN Honolulu.