Box Score
DALLAS - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Warrior basketball team (11-3, 3-1 WAC) fought off a late run to defeat the Southern Methodist Mustangs (7-7, 1-3 WAC) 66-65 at the Moody Coliseum.
Michael Kuebler led Hawai`i with 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting, while adding six rebounds and three assists. Jeff Blackett added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Julian Sensley had another great night with 13 points, six boards and five assists.
Phil Martin picked up two quick fouls and his replacement forward Blackett gave UH an early 9-8 lead with his first of five buckets in the half. After the Mustangs tied it at 11, the 'Bows used a 9-0 run sparked by three consecutive Blackett baskets.
SMU's Bryan Hopkins then got hot, connecting on three straight 3-pointers to pull the Mustangs to within 25-22. A Jason Carter basket followed by two free throws by Paul Jesinskis gave UH a 29-22 lead with 7:04 left. Moments later, Sensley's spectacular reverse lay-up, put the 'Bows ahead 41-30 with 2:36 left.
As the halftime buzzer sounded, Kuebler's third 3-pointer of the period gave UH a 44-34 lead into the locker room. Blackett and Jesinskis came off the bench and gave UH a lift, scoring 11 and seven points, respectively.
UH got off to a fast start in the second half, with lay-ups by Haim Shimonovich and Martin. Martin answered with a pair of baskets to maintain UH's 10-point lead, 52-42 with 12:26 left. The 'Bows extended it to 61-47 with 7:28 to play after a pair of Sensley free throws.
The Mustangs came roaring back with an 13-0 run to pull to within 64-63 with 2:04 remaining. Hopkins keyed that run with his fifth trey.
On UH's ensuing possession, Kuebler drove the lane and his lay-up put UH ahead 66-63 with 1:06 left snapping a five minute plus scoreless drought. SMU got the ball back but misfired on two 3-point attempts, the last was rebounded by Kuebler with 30.7 seconds left.
But UH failed to get the ball inbounds giving the ball back to the Mustangs with 29.9 seconds. SMU's Castro missed his attempt but the ball was rebounded by Simpson who was fouled on his shot attempt with 16.6 second left. Simpson then drained both of his attempts to pull to 66-65.
UH then ran off 14.7 seconds off the clock before Sensley was fouled with 1.9 seconds left. Sensley missed on his free throw attempt and Hopkins desperation 3-pointer hit the backboard and bounced away.
In the game, Martin moved into eighth place all-time on the UH career scoring list at 1,089 with eight points on the night.
The 'Bows conclude its 11-day road trip against Louisiana Tech, Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CST at the Thomas Assembly Center. The game will be broadcast live on KKEA Radio (1420 AM) and televised live on KFVE-TV (Ch. 5).
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