Box Score

HONOLULU - In the championship game of the Adidas Festival, the University of Hawaii used a stifling defense and proficient 3-point shooting in their 68-56 victory over New Orleans, Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors limited the Privateers to just 35 percent shooting from the field while in contrast shot 53 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

Preseason Western Athletic Conference player of the year Carl English led the way once again, scoring a team-high 22 points, including 15 in the first half. Reserve guard Michael Kuebler came off the bench and scored 17 points, 15 in the second half. Vaidotas Peciukas had 11 points and three rebounds.

UH controlled the tempo in the first half, shooting 50 percent from the floor and assisting on eight of 12 baskets. English was 5-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Peciukas scored 11 in the period and recorded one block and two steals. The 'Bows went ahead by as much as 20 in the half, taking a 27-7 advantage with 8:21 remaining.

Forward Hector Romero kept the Privateers in the game with a deadly inside-outside game. The senior scored a game-high 25 points, including 17 in the opening frame. Romero helped UNO cut the Hawaii lead to 11 with 3:04 to play, but the Privateers would get to closer than that. Kuebler stole the show in the second half, scoring 15 of the team's first 19 points.

English took home Most Outstanding Player honors. Joining him were UH's Haim Shimonovich and Mark Campbell, UNO's Romero and Eastern Illinois' Henry Domercant. Romero was the tournament's top scorer after a 38 point performance in Friday's victory over Cal Poly.

In the third place game, Cal Poly defeated Eastern Illinois, 73-70, in overtime.

The 'Bows next hosts the 38th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, Dec. 27-30. Hawai`i faces Bradley in an opening round game, Fri., Dec. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The other participating teams are Alcorn State, Butler, Chicago State, Tennessee Tech, Texas-Pan American, and Western Kentucky.



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