Box Score

HONOLULU - Logan Lee's two free throws with 5.0 seconds remaining secured the Hawai'i men's basketball team's 62-58 victory over Boise State, Saturday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. With the win, the Rainbow Warriors (14-3, 6-1) gained sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference standings due to Rice's loss at Nevada earlier in the evening.

With the 'Bows leading 57-56 with 16.7 seconds remaining, Julian Sensley converted two free throws to give UH a three-point lead. Lee added a free throw with 11.7 seconds left but BSU's Coby Karl drove the length of the court and his dunk pulled the Broncos to within 60-58.

Senior guard Michael Kuebler found his shooting touch inside the 3-point arc, by slashing to the basket for 15 first half points. Kuebler finished with 20 points on the night, for his 10th 20-point game of the season. Three other 'Bows scored in double figures, including senior Haim Shimonovich's 12 The big man also grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded four assists and three steals.

After being held scoreless in UH's last game against UTEP, senior forward Phil Martin rebounded with 13 points. Sensley posted 12 points and seven rebounds.

Kuebler's only trey of the first half broke a 4-4 tie. Sensley electrified the crowd with a fastbreak dunk, which put UH ahead 9-6 after the first five minutes. The Broncos answered with six straight to regain the lead at 12-9. Eric Haynes' 3-pointer with 10:52 left put BSU ahead 17-11.

The 'Bows came back and Shimonovich's hook shot capped a 10-3 run which gave UH a 21-20 advantage. After a Bronco free throw, Kuebler drove the lane for three more buckets to push the lead to 27-22. But UH went cold for the final 5:21 and BSU closed the half with an 8-0 run to take a 30-27 halftime lead.

Haynes' bucket and Coby Karl's 3-pointer gave BSU a 35-27 lead at the start of the second half. UH inched its way back, beginning with Shimonovich's 3-point play and Sensley's 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 39-38. Martin's desperation tap off a Kuebler miss followed by Logan Lee's jumper gave UH its first lead of the half at 42-41 with 13:16 remaining.

BSU responded with Franco Harris' trey in the corner. Martin's lay-up tied it at 44 but Harris drilled another 3-pointer to put BSU back ahead. The teams traded baskets until Shimonovich took over and his lay-up and free throw tied it at 49 with 7:34 to play.

After a Bronco turnover, Sensley picked up the loose ball and converted a spectacular 3-point play for a 52-49 UH lead. Moments later, Martin's lay-up and free throw put the 'Bows ahead 57-53. On BSU's next possession, Blackburn's trey cut the deficit to 57-56 with 4:16 left.

Both teams played sloppy down the stretch. Martin was fouled with 44.3 seconds remaining but missed the front end of a one-and-one. On its ensuing possession, BSU had a chance to tie the game but Aaron Haynes' missed the front end of a one-and-one with 18.6 seconds remaining.

The 'Bows hit the road again next week for games at Rice, Wednesday, Jan. 28 and Tulsa, Saturday, Jan. 31. Tip-off for the Rice game is 7:05 p.m. CST and can be heard on KKEA Radio (1420 AM) with Bobby Curran calling the action.



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