Box Score
HONOLULU - The Hawai'i men's basketball team avoided the dreaded day session of the 42nd Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic with a come-from-behind 66-63 victory over Loyola Marymount, Tuesday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors (5-2) advance to the night session where they will face Colorado State in a semifinal game on Thursday.
Late in the second half, the 'Bows looked as if they would not defend their four-straight Rainbow Classic titles. The Lions (3-7) led for much of the second half until UH scored eight unanswered to take a 62-58 lead with over three minutes to play.
Forward Ahmet Gueye's three-point play ignited the rally followed by Julian Sensley's lay-up which gave UH the lead at 59-58. On Hawai'i's next possession, Gueye converted another three-point play for a four point margin. LMU cut the deficit to two before the 'Bows nearly squandered the lead by missing four of six free throws.
Following a three-point play by LMU's Brandon Worthy with 14.6 seconds left that cut the deficit to 64-63, freshman Dominic Waters came through in the clutch, sinking two free throws with 11.8 seconds left.
Sensley, Gueye, and guard Matt Lojeski each scored 14 points for the 'Bows. Gueye added 13 rebounds and four blocks while Sensley had four assists and two rebounds in 40 minutes played. Lojeski made just three field goals but converted seven-of-eight from the foul line. Forward Matthew Gipson added 11 rebounds and eight points.
UH struggled for much of the first half. After taking a 8-2 lead to start the game, the 'Bows couldn't get in a groove as the Lions surged to a 29-19 lead with four minutes remaining. During a six minute span, the Lions out-scored UH, 14-3. The 'Bows rallied back and closed to within three with just over a minute to play and trailed at the half 33-28.
The 'Bows will face Colorado State in Thursday's semifinals. The Rams defeated Western Michigan, 87-69, in the day's opening game.
The tournament continues on Wednesday with a pair of first round games. Northwestern State takes on Oregon State at 5:05 p.m. while Iowa State meets USF at 7:35 p.m.
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