Box Score
HONOLULU - The Hawai'i men's basketball team pulled out a hard fought 66-64 victory over Southern Illinois, Monday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. In front of a crowd of 6,926 dressed in black, the Rainbow Warriors successfully completed their three-game season opening homestand undefeated.
The 'Bows overcame shaky ball-handling and questionable officiating. UH committed a season-high 21 turnovers but had two calls go their way in the final minute. Reserve forward Vaidotas Peciukas was fouled rebounding a Stetson Hairston missed field goal attempt with 4.4 seconds remaining. He drained one of two free throws giving UH the deciding 66-64 advantage. Randal Falker's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back rim.
"I was impressed with the team's grip on the game," head coach Riley Wallace said. "They kept playing, and gave them no easy looks. We got some putbacks and tough shots and didn't give up."
With just over a minute to play, Hairston drained a trey putting SIU ahead 64-63 but on UH's ensuing possesion, Peciukas drove the lane and his lay-up with 44.3 second left put UH up for good.
Junior forward Julian Sensley recorded his eighth career double-double (17 pts - 11 rebs) and played all 40 minutes. Sophomore guard Matt Gibson added 11 points and three assists while senior forward Jeff Blackett recorded 10 points and six rebounds.
"I kept yelling at Sensley, 'you've got to step up,' and 'you've got to play.'" Wallace said. "It was his night to come in and hit his shots."
UH started the game lethargic, turning the ball over five times in the first five minutes to fall behind 11-4. The 'Bows picked up their defense and tied the game at 11 and eventually went ahead 21-18, after a Jake Sottos trey from the top of the key.
UH surged ahead, 30-23, after a Gibson to Sensley reverse alley-oop and took a 34-29 lead into the half. Sensley scored 10 points at the break to lead all UH scorers. The 'Bows also held a 19-7 rebounding edge.
After the 'Bows took a 39-33 lead at the first media timeout of the second half, the Salukis stormed back with an 11-4 run to take a 44-43 lead. On UH's next possession, Gibson sank a trey from the wing to give Hawai'i back the lead.
Moments later, UH demonstrated its long range shooting as Gibson, Matt Gipson, and Sottos connected, which put the 'Bows ahead 54-48 with 8:52 left. The Salukis came roaring back with a 7-0 run to take a 61-60 lead with 2:37 remaining. Hawai'i regained the lead after Gibson sank both free throws and Peciukas extended it to 63-61 after one free throw.
The 'Bows leave on Tuesday for Saint Louis, where they will meet the Billikens, Saturday, Dec. 4, at the 20,000-seat Savvis Center. Tip-off is set for 1:10 p.m. CST (9:10 a.m. HST). The game can be heard on the radio on KKEA 1420AM with Jeff Portnoy calling the action.
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