Box Score

HONOLULU - Colorado State used its height advantage in a 67-61 victory over the Hawai'i men's basketball team, Thursday, in the semifinals of the 42nd Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rams denied the Rainbow Warriors a shot at a fifth consecutive tournament championship and ended UH's 13-game Classic win streak.

CSU (9-1) will face Iowa State in the championship game after the Cyclones pulled out an 83-79 double overtime victory over Northwestern State in the day's first semifinal. The 'Bows, who finished champions or runners-up the past six seasons, will play in the third place game for the first time since 1998.

The Rams out-rebounded Hawai'i (5-3), 43-27, including a 25-9 advantage in the second half.

UH leading scorer Julian Sensley scored 14 points but struggled mightily from the field, converting only 3-of-15 field goal attempts. Forward Ahmet Gueye posted his second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and matched his career-high of five blocks.

Junior guard Matt Lojeski was held to just two points in his worst performance as a Rainbow Warrior. Junior Bobby Nash saw his first action in over a week after missing the past two games due to a shoulder injury. The guard came off the bench and scored 11 points.

The 'Bows held CSU leading scorer Michael Harrison to just two points. Jason Smith led the Rams with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

UH led 29-24 at the break, but trailed for much of the second half after the Rams raced out to a 26-9 run. CSU built a 50-38 advantage before Hawai'i rallied back. Sensley's three-point play with 4:07 left pulled UH to within 52-48.

The UH-Northwestern State game is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. followed by the championship game at 7:35 p.m.

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