Box Score

HOUSTON - The Hawai'i men's basketball team suffered its eighth consecutive Western Athletic Conference road loss after a 75-58 defeat to Rice, Saturday afternoon, at Autry Court. The Rainbow Warriors fell to 15-10 overall and 7-9 in WAC play.

Hawai'i overcame a 19-point second half deficit but could not withstand a late 15-0 Rice run during a five minute 38 second span. After the 'Bows closed to 58-56 with 6:43 to play, the Owls out-scored UH, 17-2 to end the game.

Forward Phil Martin posted career-highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds to pace the 'Bows. On the other side of the court, center Yamar Diene had career-highs of 24 points and 12 bounds for the Owls. Martin converted 9-of-14 from the field and picked off three steals while Diene was 9-of-11 and blocked three shots.

Junior guard Carl English totaled 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting but continued to suffer from flu-like symptoms. Earlier in the day, the reigning WAC player of the week, had two intravenous shots to help battle his illness.

Redshirt freshman Milos Zivanovic started his first career game in place of an injured Haim Shimonovich, who suffered a severely sprained right ankle against Tulsa, Thursday. Zivanovic played 19 minutes and grabbed three rebounds.

The 'Bows trailed by 13 at the half but saw the deficit stretch to 19 at the 15:42 mark. UH slowly chipped away, cutting the Rice lead to 10 after the first of two Jason Carter 3-pointers. A lay-up by Mark Campbell followed by a pair of Nkeruwem Akpan free throws, trimmed the deficit to 55-49 with 10:30 to play.

The 'Bows made it a two-point game after Michael Kuebler's trey and ensuing jumper in the lane. All told, Hawai'i out-scored Rice, 26-9 during a nearly 10 minute stretch to get back in the game.

UH returns home from its 12-day road trip to host Boise State, Thursday, Mar. 6 and UTEP, Saturday, Mar. 8.


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