The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team secured a 72-67 victory over UC San Diego on Saturday night at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. This win, combined with UC Irvine’s loss earlier in the evening, puts the Rainbow Warriors in a tie for first place in the Big West standings.
Hawai’i improved its record to 17-5 overall and 9-3 in conference play. The team started strong with an early 11-point run, forcing a timeout from UC San Diego less than three minutes into the game. Isaac Johnson led the scoring for Hawai’i, putting up 17 of his 20 points in the first half. “Feed the @Isaac_Johnson33 with 15 points already and we’re not even 10 minutes into the game!” read a post from Hawaii Basketball on social media.
Despite their fast start, Hawai’i saw its lead narrow as UC San Diego closed the gap before halftime. The ‘Bows went into the break ahead by two points, largely due to Johnson’s performance.
UC San Diego began the second half strongly and took its first lead on a Tom Beattie three-pointer. The Tritons extended their advantage to five points before Hawai’i responded with a 13-5 run, regaining control after Isaac Finlinson hit a three-pointer with ten minutes remaining. Finlinson scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half.
Hunter Erickson contributed nine points, ten rebounds, and six assists for Hawai’i. Dre Bullock added ten points and seven rebounds. Erickson’s late three-pointer gave Hawai’i a double-digit lead with just over three minutes left in regulation.
UC San Diego narrowed the deficit to two points after Leo Beath hit a three-pointer with fourteen seconds remaining. However, after Erickson made one of two free throws, UCSD missed a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds.
Hawai’i out-rebounded UC San Diego by a margin of 47-26. Beattie led four Tritons players scoring in double figures with fourteen points.
The Rainbow Warriors will now travel for their next pair of games, starting with CSU Bakersfield at Icardo Center.
