Box Score Box Score

HONOLULU -- The first ever meeting between the University of Hawaii and Alcorn State proved to be battle or lack of one, as the Rainbow Warriors pulled out a sloppy 62-48 victory, Monday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH improved to 6-1, its best start in since the 1997-98 season.

The 13-day layoff since it's last game proved to hurt the 'Bows as they committed an uncharacteristic 23 turnovers, were out-rebounded on the offense end 15 to 4, and shot just 50 percent from the free throw line (12-of-24). The Braves also didn't help themselves as they were 0-for-15 from 3-point range and shot just 32.8 percent from the floor. In fact both teams failed to connect from long range as Hawaii was 0-of-4, marking the first time since 1989 that UH was involved in a game in which that happened.

Junior forward Luc-Arthur Vebobe made his UH debut a successful one, by scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds in 21 minutes. Guard Carl English finished with a team-high 17 points, the sixth game in which he led the team in scoring. Forward Phil Martin had a season-high 16 points, including 12 in the first half. Vebobe, who missed the team's first six games due to an NCAA-sanctioned suspension, converted on 5-of-6 shot attempts, with two dazzling dunks in the paint.

With the 'Bows leading 31-29 early in the second half, the team went on a 13-0 run to take its largest lead of the game at 44-29. From then on, the 'Bows held on to a double-digit lead and limited its opponent to under 60 points for the fourth time this season.

Hawaii led 29-23 at the half, in part of Martin's 12 points and a team field goal percentage of 60.

UH hosts San Diego State in a battle of former Western Athletic Conference foes, Friday, Dec. 14. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Senior guard Predrag Savovic will make his season debut after serving a seven-game suspension from the NCAA.



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