HONOLULU - Carl English and Phil Martin combined to score 45 points but it wasn't enough as the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team fell in an exhibition game to the EA Sports West All-Stars, 73-72, Sunday, at the Stan Sheriff Center.

In their only tune-up before Friday's season opener against Arkansas-Little Rock, the Rainbow Warriors shot 51.9 percent from the field in the second half and held a lead for much of period. But down the stretch, EA Sports went on a 10-0 run to seal the victory.

Jan Michael-Thomas paced the all-stars with 19 points, including 13 in the decisive second half. Maurice Spillers added 17 points while former Hawai'i guard Mike McIntyre scored three points in 12 foul-prone minutes.

With the 'Bows holding a 63-59 lead after a Martin bucket with 3:30 left, Michael-Thomas nailed hit his first of two crucial treys to bring the all-stars to within 63-62. A Jack Hartman steal led to a Spillers lay-up. Michael-Thomas hit his second triple and connected on two free throws with :54 remaining to put the all-stars ahead 69-63.

English scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half on 6-of-8 shooting, including three treys. Martin added 11 of his 21 points after the break. But the other three UH starters struggled combining for 13 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

Hawai'i hosts the Hawaiian Airlines Tip-Off Tournament, Nov. 22 & 24. Joining UH and Arkansas-Little Rock are Cal State Fullerton and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.



-uh-