Box Score

HONOLULU - Freshman Hiram Thompson provided a big lift for the Hawai'i men's basketball team, scoring 15 points off the bench in an 80-76 victory over Northwestern State, Friday night. The Rainbow Warriors (6-3) captured third place of the 42nd Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.

With leading scorer Julian Sensley, sitting out due to a strained Achilles tendon and guard Bobby Nash out for the season, Thompson rallied UH in the second half after trailing 39-36 at the break. The El Dorado Hills, Calif., native finished 7-of-10 shooting from the field, dished out four assists, and had two steals.

Sensley, who re-aggravated the injury during the team's semifinal loss to Colorado State on Thursday, sat out a game for the first time in his career. Nash will apply for a medical hardship following this season due to an injured shoulder.

Three other 'Bows scored in double figures including forward Ahmet Gueye, who had a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Guard Matt Lojeski got out of his shooting slump with 17 points, following a two-point performance against CSU. Forward Matthew Gipson added 17 points and eight rebounds.

Freshman guard Dominic Waters made his first career start and had two points. Senior Deonte Tatum added seven points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

As a team, UH executed its half-court offense in the form of a season-high 20 assists. UH shot 50 percent from the field despite missing on 11 of its 14 3-point attempts.

The 'Bows fought back from a 7-0 deficit to start the game with an 8-0 run of its own. With Waters and Thompson at the point, the 'Bows surged to a 27-20 lead before the Demons regained momentum and took a 30-29 advantage following an 8-0 run.

In the second half, Thompson stole the show scoring 11 points in the period and erasing a three point halftime deficit. A six-point run ignited by a Thompson lay-up, gave the 'Bows a lead it would not relinquish.

The Demons (7-4) made a final comeback after a Luke Rogers' lay-up and 3-pointer cut the deficit to 77-76 with 20.1 seconds to play. After Lojeski made one of two free throws with 13.0 seconds left, the Demons had a chance to take the lead but Rogers' wide-open 3-pointer rimmed out. Gipson made a pair of free throws to seal the victory.

The 'Bows were playing in the third place game for the first time since 1998. UH will have no time to rest as they play hosts to North Carolina A&T, Dec. 27 and Pennsylvania, Dec. 29. Tip-off for both games is 7:35 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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