Box Score Box Score
HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii men's basketball team stormed out to a double-digit lead just nine minutes into the game and never looked back to defeat Louisiana Tech, 81-61, Thursday night, in a Western Athletic Conference match up in front of 6,910 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 14-2, 5-0 in the WAC and are off to its best start since going 17-2 during the 1971-72 season.
Guard Mike McIntyre led five players in double figures to score a season high 22 points, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Forward Mindaugas Burneika finish with 13 points off the bench, while guard Predrag Savovic added 12 as the 'Bows extended its winning streak to eight games, its longest since 1989-90.
Hawaii shot 49.1 percent from the floor, while holding the Bulldogs to just 39.7 percent, the 10th time this season the 'Bows have held its opponent to under that mark. Of the team's 27 baskets, 21 came off assists. The team also committed its second lowest turnover figure of the season, giving up only 11.
Both teams struggled from the field early on in the game. Bulldog Zach Johnson and Rainbow Warrior Haim Shimonovich got their teams going hitting the first field goal of the game after a scoreless four minutes from the field. Hawaii then jumped out to a 13-4 run led by McIntyre's three 3-pointers within a two-minute time span.
Mark Campbell, not known for his offense, scored eight points in the first half including a steal and pull up 3-pointer to give UH a 25-9 lead with 8:52 remaining in the half. Seeing playing time for the first time this season was freshman forward Nkeruwem “Tony” Akpan, who served a 15-game NCAA suspension.
In the second half the 'Bows maintained a comfortable lead extending it to as much as 24. The Bulldogs would only get within 18 points of the relentless Warriors the rest of the way. With the game in hand, head coach Riley Wallace went to his bench and put in seldom-used players Lance Takaki, Ryne Holliday, Gabe Lombard, and Dan Pickart.
Hawaii returns to the court Saturday with a meeting against second place SMU, a 68-66 winner over San Jose State. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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