Box Score Box Score

HOUSTON – A 17-0 second half run lifted Hawaii past Rice, 88-79, Thursday night in a Western Athletic Conference game at Autry Court. The Rainbow Warriors remained atop the WAC with the victory to improve to 16-3 overall and 7-1 in league action.

After Rice scored seven consecutive points to tie the score at 48 with 12:31 in the second half, Hawaii converted on six straight possessions, with five 3-pointers to take a 65-48 lead. During that run, guard Mike McIntyre hit three treys and a fastbreak lay-up, while Predrag Savovic and Carl English each poured in one from long range.

McIntyre finished the game with 20 points and four treys while Savovic led the team with 21 with six rebounds. Also in double figures were English (17) and forward Phil Martin (10). English had an all-around game contributing seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Hawaii led for much of the first half, taking a 38-31 lead into the locker room. English had 14 points at the break while the team shot 51 percent from the field.

In the second half, the 'Bows ran their half-court offense to near perfection as they committed only three turnovers while assisting on 12 of 13 field goals. But during that 3:10 span in the second half, the 'Bows blitzed the Owls as they did not allow a shot attempt while converting on all six of theirs to jump out to the 17-point lead.

Rice would not get any closer than eight the rest of the way as the 'Bows made 12-of-14 free throws down the strech.

Freshman Michael Harris paced the Owls with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

After losing at San Jose State last Saturday, which snapped the team's nine-game win streak, the 'Bows have won three of its four road games.

Hawaii continues its road trip with a game at Tulsa, Saturday, Jan. 26. The match-up will pit the WAC's top two teams as the Golden Hurricane trail the 'Bows by half a game at 6-1 in the standings.



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