Box Score

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i men's basketball team made a statement in its 85-63 victory over UTEP, Thursday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors won its fifth consecutive Western Athletic Conference game and improved to 13-3 overall and 5-1 in league play.

With the win and Fresno State's loss to Rice, the 'Bows moved into a first place tie with the Owls in the WAC standings at 5-1. The hot start also marks just the fourth time UH has started 5-1 in WAC play since 1979.

Guard Michael Kuebler led the 'Bows once again in scoring with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and his four 3-pointers marked the eighth consecutive game in which he recorded multiple treys in a game. Super sub Jeff Blackett scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds while senior Haim Shimonovich posted 10 points and eight rebounds.

On a sour note, senior forward Phil Martin had a streak of 41 straight games in which he scored, come to an end after spending much of the first half on the bench in foul trouble.

UH came out on fire in the first half shooting 56.8 percent from the floor to take a 47-29 halftime lead. In contrast, the Miners struggled, shooting 33.3 percent and committing nine turnovers.

The 'Bows got off to a hot start taking a 13-3 lead five minutes in after a Carter steal and lay-up. UH pushed its lead to 29-16 on Julian Sensley's fastbreak dunk with 7:49 to play. Moments later, Carter followed with his first 3-pointer and another lay-up gave UH a 34-16 advantage.

The 'Bows extended it to 21 after a Blackett lay-up and Logan Lee steal and lay-up for a 41-20 lead. Blackett's lay-up with 2:36 left, capped a 20-4 run which put the 'Bows ahead 45-20.

The Miners slowly closed the gap, using a 9-2 run at the end of the first half and a 7-3 spurt at the start of the second to close to 14. But UH answered and Kuebler's fourth trey put them back on top 60-39 with 15:19 remaining. The 'Bows maintained its 20-plus point lead throughout the rest of the game.

All 13 players saw action for Hawai'i, including freshman walk-on Garland Gantt, who appeared in just his second game of the season.

The Miners, which shared the best overall record in the league with UH, dropped to 12-4, 3-3 WAC. Omar Thomas, the reigning WAC player of the week, scored a team-high 14 points.

On Saturday, the 'Bows hosts Boise State, who defeated San Jose State, 70-54, Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.



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