Box Score

HONOLULU - Bobby Nash banked in a 3-pointer with 15.5 seconds left in overtime to propell Hawai'i past Rice, 75-72, Thursday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors snapped their three-game Western Athletic Conference losing streak and improved to 11-5 overall and 3-5 in league play.

With UH trailing 72-69 in the final minute of the game, Nash was fouled on his miracle shot and his ensuing free throw put UH on top 73-72. For Nash it was his second game-winning 3-pointer this season as the sophomore drained a 25-footer at the buzzer against Oral Roberts in the Rainbow Classic semifinals. Nash scored a career-high 20 points in the victory and made up for missing two free throws in the closing seconds of regulation, which would have given Hawai'i the lead.

Junior Jeff Blackett added 20 points and six rebounds. The forward also grabbed the game-saving rebound after Rice's Michael Harris' putback attempt in overtime was short. Blackett was fouled and made two free throws with 1.5 seconds left.

The game was another nail-biter for the 'Bows, who had lost its previous five WAC games by a combined 11 points.

In the final minutes of regulation, Rice's Jason McKrieth swished a jumper to tie the game at 65. Nash was fouled by Harris on his way to the bucket with 34.8 seconds left but missed both free throws. Harris' jumper from left corner for the win rimmed out.

In overtime, the Owls (10-6, 5-3) jumped out to a 69-66 lead after a bucket by Brock Gillespie and Harris dunk. On UH's next possession, Julian Sensley tied the game with his first trey. But Rice answered as McKrieth's jumper put the Owls on top with 1:20 remaining.

Nash misfired on his 3-point attempt and Blackett turned the ball over with just under a minute to play. McKrieth converted one of two free throws with 28.6 seconds left setting up Nash's heroics.

The game started off with a fast pace as UH forged ahead 8-7. But the Owls took over from that point using a 15-2 run to take a 22-10 lead seven minutes into the game. UH trimmed the deficit to six, but the Owls pushed it back to double digits. Nash sparked a comeback with five points and a steal to pull the 'Bows within 28-25.

Nash scored 10 points off the bench as UH trailed 34-30 at the half.

The Owls opened the second half by scoring the first five points. With Rice leading 50-42, the 'Bows reeled off an 11-2 run to take its first lead of the second half with 7:40 remaining.

Harris finished with a game-high 25 points along with 12 rebounds. McKrieth added 20 points.

UH hosts Tulsa, Saturday, Jan. 29. Tip-off for the annual "White-Out" game is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. The UH Sports Marketing Office is asking all fans in attendance to wear white shirts for the game.

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