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TULSA, Okla. – Top-seeded Hawaii became the first team in 10 years to repeat as Western Athletic Conference champions, after its 73-59 victory over No. 2 seed and host Tulsa, Saturday night, at the Donald Reynolds Center. Tournament Most Valuable Player Predrag Savovic scored a game-high 28 points on 9-of-21 shooting from the field, as the Rainbow Warriors defended its WAC Tournament crown, which they won in Tulsa last year.

UH captured its third tournament title overall and added to its regular season championship, which it shared with Tulsa this season after both teams finished with identical 15-3 records. The 'Bows managed to sweep Tulsa, winning all three games this season and won at the Donald Reynolds Center for the third consecutive time, a Tulsa opponent record.

“We like Tulsa,” head coach Riley Wallace said. “Our guys feel comfortable in this arena. We came in on Sunday, rested up after our trip from Fresno and got acclimated from the time zones and being on the road. The whole team stepped up and when they're together and playing hard like that, we're hard to beat anywhere.”

The 'Bows won despite shooting just 38.4 percent, including a woeful 16 percent from 3-point range. But Hawaii continued to run its flex offense which created numerous back picks and open lay-ups. Three other UH players finished in double figures, including forwards Phil Martin (13) and Mindaugas Burneika (12), who were recipients of passes by Haim Shimonovich (6 assists). The UH big man finished with six points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals. Forward Carl English played in all 40 minutes and was everywhere on the court. English finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.

Hawaii became the first team to repeat since Brigham Young won back-to-back titles in 1991-92. The 'Bows also won consecutive titles for the first time in school history and will return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and fourth time overall.

“It's all a team effort,” Savovic said of the victory. “Sometimes one guy steps up and another guy steps up. We, as a team, won this tournament and we, as a team, had a great season. My game is just part of the team, sometimes it's up, sometimes it's down.”

Antonio Reed and Jason Parker each scored 18 points to pace the Golden Hurricane. However, the 'Bows limited their big men, forwards Charlie Davis and Kevin Johnson to just four points, a piece, and guard Dante Swanson, an all-WAC second team member, to two points.

Tulsa led by as many as nine in the first half, 25-16, but a 7-0 UH run trimmed the deficit to 25-23 with 6:09 remaining. A Burneika lay-up and two Martin free throws tied the score at 29 at the half. The opening period saw both teams shoot close to 35 percent from the field. Savovic had 12 of his points in the half before sitting out the final seven minutes due to foul trouble.

Hawaii scored the first eight points in the second half, which set the tone for the remainder of the game. A 20-4 run overall to start the half, gave the 'Bows a comfortable margin. UH had a 16-point lead with just over 8:00 to play before the Golden Hurricane made their comeback. Three straight 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, cut the deficit to three with 4:27 to play.

The 'Bows answered with a backdoor lay-up by English and Savovic followed with a lay-up of his own, while being fouled in the process. After two Harrington free throws, Martin hit a jumper to put UH back ahead 63-55 with 2:54 to play. Hawaii sealed the game my making 10-of-13 free throws down the stretch.

UH next awaits the NCAA Selection show, which will air on ESPN2 at 6:00 p.m. EST.



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