Box Score

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i men's basketball team successfully opened Western Athletic Conference play with a 69-59 victory over Utah State, Saturday afternoon, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 13-14 all-time in WAC openers, including a 10-9 mark under head coach Riley Wallace.

Junior guard Matt Lojeski tied his season-high of 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 4-of-7 from 3-point range. The Racine, Wisc., native was suffering from a sprained left shoulder throughout the week but it didn't seem to affect his mobility. Lojeski also had five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals in 36 minutes.

Forwards Julian Sensley and Ahmet Gueye provided a dominant inside game for UH (4-2, 1-0), combining for 31 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. Sensley had 19 points and seven boards, while Gueye tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, and had four of the team's season-high nine blocks.

As a team, the 'Bows shot 50.9 percent from the field and held the nation's field goal percentage leader to 35.7 percent shooting. UH also out-rebounded USU, 37-28.

The Aggies (4-3, 0-1) were led by guard Jaycee Carroll's 15 points. Forward Nate Harris contributed with 12 points and eight rebounds.

In the first half, UH surged to a 13-7 lead five minutes into the game. Lojeski's third trey of the half and buckets by Sensley and Gueye, pushed the lead to 22-11. A 7-0 Aggie run closed the deficit to four. The 'Bows answered back with consecutive buckets to take a 28-20 lead with under four minutes left. But the Aggies closed out the half on a 15-4 run, sparked by a five-point play, to enter the half leading 35-32.

UH opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take a 42-37 advantage. The Aggies regained the lead at 47-46 following a Chris Huber 3-pointer with 11:03 remaining. But the 'Bows answered back with five consecutive points by Matthew Gipson and a Sensley dunk to take the lead for good.

The 'Bows dominated the glass in the second half, out-rebouding the Aggies, 23-13. UH also held USU to 21.9 percent shooting in the period.

UH next hosts the 42nd Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic beginning Tuesday, Dec. 20. The 'Bows open the tournament against Loyola Marymount. Also participating are Colorado State, Northwestern State, Oregon State, Iowa State, South Florida, and Western Michigan.

-uh-