Box Score Box Score

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Hawaii's nine-game win streak came to an end, Saturday night, with a 57-53 loss to San Jose State at the Event Center. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 15-3 and suffered its first Western Athletic Conference loss in seven tries.

Four players scored in double figures, with guard Predrag Savovic and forwards Mindaugas Burneika and Phil Martin sharing team highs with 12. Carl English added 11 points and a team-high five assists as the 'Bows recorded a season-low in points.

The 'Bows struggled from the floor, shooting a dismal 34 percent, including a 3-of-20 performance from 3-point range. Savovic finished 1-of-7 and English 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. But Hawaii was forced to take those shots as their big men were plagued in foul trouble for much of the game. Center Haim Shimonovich played just 13 minutes before fouling out late in the game.

Hawaii led 27-24 at the half, in part because the Spartans missed 9-of-13 free throws. Four Rainbow Warriors were assessed two fouls each as Shimonovich and Martin played seven and six minutes, respectively.

The 'Bows scored the game's first nine points and later jumped out to a 13-4 lead. But after Martin's lay-up with 15:48 to play, Hawaii went cold as they missed its next 10 shots and were out-scored 11-1. In all, the 'Bows suffered through 11:10 without a field goal. Still, the team closed out the half on a 9-4 run.

The game see-sawed in the second half as there were seven lead changes and four ties. With the Spartans holding a 34-31 lead with 13:49 to play, SJSU head coach Steve Barnes was ejected from the game after earning his second technical foul. Hawaii seemed to gain momentum, scoring five straight to take a two-point lead.

But after the Spartans regained the lead on a Moises Alvarez 3-pointer, Hawaii answered with a lay-up by Burneika and a pair of Savovic free throws. The lead changed hands two more times before the Spartans went on a 7-0 run spurred by a Phil Calvert trey to take a 52-46 lead with 1:44 left.

The 'Bows closed to within two twice, but SJSU made their free throws down the stretch, connecting on 5-of-6 in the final minute.

David Granucci scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Spartans. Hawaii continues its 10-day road trip with games at Rice, Thursday, Jan. 24 and Tulsa, Saturday, Jan. 26.



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