Box Score

RUSTON, La. - Zach Johnson's two free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining lifted Louisiana Tech past Hawai'i, 66-65, Thursday night, at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 13-6 overall and 6-5 in Western Athletic Conference play.

Guard Michael Kuebler led the 'Bows with 27 points, two off of his career best, on 8-of-17 shooting from the field. Carl English had 15 points and eight boards while Nkeruwem Akpan came off the bench and scored 10 points and had three blocks. Guard Mark Campbell grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds.

Hawai'i suffered its third loss on the road in the waning seconds. With UH holding a 65-64 lead with 32.7 seconds remaining, a controversial offensive foul was called on English giving the Bulldogs the ball back. On its ensuing possession, UH's Haim Shimonovich fouled Jackson sending the 58 percent foul shooter to the line.

The 'Bows had one last chance for the win. With 4.4 seconds remaining, Campbell took the inbounds pass and drove down the lane passing it off to English. But English's reverse lay-up was blocked by Johnson as time expired.

Forward Antonio Meeking was nearly unstoppable in the second half, scoring 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The senior scored eight of the team's first 10 points after the break and 10 consecutive during a four-minute stretch.

Kuebler stole the show in the first half, scoring all nine of UH's points during the team's 9-0 run which erased a seven-point deficit, and gave the 'Bows a 22-20 lead with 7:23 remaining. Johnson and Meeking scored eight points a piece to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance.

Surprisingly, the 'Bows out-rebounded Tech, 20-to-19 while jumping out to a 33-32 halftime lead.

UH next travels to Dallas, where they meet SMU, Saturday, Feb. 8. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. CST at Moody Coliseum. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest and can be heard on KKEA 1420 AM Radio throughout the islands.



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