The troubles are adding up.

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The University of Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team saw its streak of six straight wins all-time against the UC San Diego Tritons go up in flames at LionTree Arena in La Jolla, CA, 67-61.

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In his first career start at UH, Juan Munoz led the 'Bows with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, and was 5-of-8 from 3-point range. JoVon McClanahan and Noel Coleman were next with 11 points each with four made field goals.

 

Bryce Pope led the Tritons with 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting. He was followed by newcomer Tyler McGhie's 14 points, and former UH-Hilo player Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones chipped in 13.

Hawaiʻi started strong and nailed five of its first eight shots from 3-point range. They kept the lead up until the 10-minute mark when UCSD seized control of the momentum.

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It appeared that UH would do well, but they went ice cold and suffered a six-minute scoring drought. They committed a disastrous seven of their 14 total turnovers in that drought.

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UCSD took the lead for good off a Tait-Jones free throw and never looked back. They closed the first half on a 19-2 run to take a 35-26 lead at the half.

UH came out with some fire in the second half with an early 11-3 run and tied the score at 38. They would later take the lead off a Justin McKoy jumper, 40-38, with 15 minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, UCSD responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead back. They would never surrender it for the rest of the way.

UH put up a last-ditch effort, but they could not get closer than four points. That early hole they subjected themselves to again was just too much for UH to overcome. To add to the trouble, UH committed an egregious 20 turnovers total (six in the second half) to UCSD's 10.

UH drops to 2-5 in Big West play, and 10-9 overall, and things do not get any easier. They will return home for two matchups against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Jan. 25, and against Cal Poly on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Both tipoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m. HST. You can listen to both games on ESPN Honolulu, or watch the games on Spectrum Sports.