Box Score Box Score

HONOLULU -- Playing its fourth game in five days, fatigue took its toll on the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, Tuesday night, as it had to hold on to a 60-58 victory over Northwestern State. A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 5,488 saw the 'Bows improve to 5-1.

Haim Shimonovich's lay-up with 4.4 seconds remaining was the game-winner. After the Demons tied to the game at 58 on guard Michael Byars-Dawson's fourth 3-pointer with 18.8 remaining, UH guard Mark Campbell penetrated down the lane and found Shimonovich for the deciding basket.

NSU had one last chance but Byars-Dawson's desperation 3-pointer at the top of the key, hit the back rim and bounced away.

For the fifth time in six games, guard Carl English led UH in scoring. He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. Shimonovich recorded his second career double-double, tallying 16 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 center also blocked five shots. McIntyre came off the bench and scored 14 points and moved alone into fourth place in the UH record book with 105 career 3-pointers.

The win was UH's 10th consecutive on its home floor dating back to last season. For the second time in three games, the 'Bows almost let a commanding double-digit lead slip away. In the semi-finals of the Big Island Invitational, UH let a 16-point second half lead disappear in a 61-59 loss to Colorado State. But against the Demons, Hawai'i would hold on.

UH turned a six-point halftime lead into double digits early in the second half. But NSU's full-court press, which they used for much of the game, caused problems for the 'Bows. Successive steals turned an 11-point deficit to just six. A 3-pointer on the right wing by Kory Wilson brought the Demons to within three (40-37). But Hawai'i answered with 10 straight points, fueled by three Mike McIntyre buckets, to take a 50-37.

NSU finally cut into UH's double-digit lead when Byars-Dawson converted a 3-point play with 5:36 remaining. When English sank one of two free throws at the 3:25 mark, it ended a 4:00 scoreless drought for the Rainbow Warriors. NSU's Jerrold McRae followed with a pair of free throws and D'or Fischer's putback closed the Demons to within 58-53 with just over a minute to play.

UH, which didn't score until nearly four minutes in, took its first lead (16-14) with 10:00 remaining in the first half. But the Demons answered with a 7-0 run to take its largest lead at 21-16. Hawai'i came back with five quick points to tie it at 21. After the teams traded baskets McIntyre's pull up 3-pointer put UH back up 25-23. The 'Bows maintained that lead and went into the half with a six-point cushion.

Hawai'i returns to the court, Monday, Dec. 10 when they host Alcorn State in a non-conference game.



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