Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - The Hawai'i men's basketball team's comeback fell a little short in a 58-52 loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Saturday, at U.S. Cellular Arena. The Rainbow Warriors dropped its second non-conference road game of the season to fall to 3-2 overall.

UH scored a season-low in points while committing 20 turnovers and shooting 1-of-13 from 3-point range. In the team's two road losses, the 'Bows have turned the ball over 39 times and shot 2-of-30 from long range. UH still held UWM to 39 percent shooting and had a 42-to-36 rebounding advantage.

Forward Ahmet Gueye led all scorers with 17 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, and grabbed seven rebounds. Forward Julian Sensley posted his 13th career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while forward Matthew Gipson posted six points and 10 boards.

UH's all-Wisconsin starting backcourt of Deonte Tatum and Matt Lojeski were held in check. Tatum had six points and four assists but committed six turnovers. Lojeski had a season-low six points on 2-of-6 shooting and left the game late with a sprained left shoulder. Tatum, from Milwaukee, and Lojeski of Racine, Wisc., had a large contingent of family and friends in attendance.

The game was a rematch of last year's ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday event, which the Panthers won 87-81 in Honolulu. This game was much different than the last as the teams struggled to score early.

The first half was sloppy with UH committing 11 turnovers and both teams shooting under 40 percent. After the first five minutes, UH led 3-1 but both struggled to find the net as the 'Bows were held scoreless for a four and a half minute stretch while the Panthers were shut out during a three minute period.

The Panthers used an 11-2 run late in the first half to build a 26-17 lead. The 'Bows closed out the half by scoring the final four points to head into the locker room down 26-21.

UWM opened the second half scoring with a 6-1 run to push its lead to 32-22. UH answered back with five straight to trim the deficit to three. But the Panthers responded with a 17-6 run during a 6:50 stretch to take a 53-39 advantage with under six minutes to play.

The 'Bows didn't give in and a 9-0 run, culminating with a Sensley bucket with 56 seconds to play, cut the deficit to 55-52. UWM's Chris Hill made the second of a two-shot foul and a Jason McCoy's steal and Boo Davis' breakaway dunk shut the door on Hawai'i's comeback.

UWM's Adrian Tigert led the Panthers with 16 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, and six rebounds. In the team's victory in Honolulu last season, Tigert led all scorers with 19 points and made all six of his field goal attempts.

UH returns to Honolulu and begins Western Athletic Conference play against Utah State, Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Stan Sheriff Center. Tip-off is set for 1:05 p.m.

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