Box Score

HONOLULU - The Canadian connection of guard Carl English and forward Phil Martin, led the University of Hawai'i past Louisiana Tech, 57-53, in a Western Athletic Conference matchup, Saturday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 10-2, 3-1 WAC, and extended its home win streak to 21 games.

English, a Newfoundland native, scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, in posting his second double-double of the season. Ontario native Martin, added 19 points, tying his season-high and grabbed five boards. English struggled from the field in the first half, missing 7-of-8 attempts and scoring just four points. But he erupted after the break, scoring 21 points while converting on 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. Martin scored 12 of his 19 in the first half and finished 8-of-12 shooting from the field.

Haim Shimonovich added 10 rebounds for UH and fell two points shy of his third double-double of the season. Guard Mark Campbell dished out eight assists in helping the team assist on 16 of 18 baskets.

The Bulldogs were led by senior forward Antonio Meeking, who recorded 23 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Lavelle Felton added 11 points and six boards.

The first half was dominated by poor shooting as UH shot 34.8 percent compared to Tech's 25.7 percent. The 'Bows fell behind by seven points, 16-9, after the halfway point of the period. Martin's jumper at the 5:52 mark cut the deficit to 16-15. After an Eric Woods trey put the Bulldogs ahead 21-17, Martin answered with seven straight points, culminating in a three-point play to put the 'Bows up, 24-21, with just over a minute to play.

Both teams improved their shooting in the second half. English caught fire with back-to-back treys giving UH a 44-37 lead at 11:25 of the second half. With the 'Bows holding a 52-48 lead at 3:28, Meeking answered with a three-point play to cut the deficit to one.

After a missed shot by UH's Michael Kuebler, Tech had a chance to take its first lead of the period but Felton's short jumper in the lane rimmed out. On Hawai'i's ensuing possession, Shimonovich found English on a backdoor lay-up, giving the 'Bows a 54-51 advantage.

A pair of Meeking free throws with :42.8 remaining cut UH's lead to 55-53. But as the 'Bows ran down the shot clock, Kuebler found Shimonovich with a lay-up with :06.8 to ice the victory.

Next up for the 'Bows is rival Fresno State (11-2, 4-0), Monday, Jan. 13. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Bulldogs remained undefeated in WAC play with a 84-58 victory over UTEP, Saturday.



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