Box Score

TULSA, Okla. - The Hawai`i men's basketball team suffered yet another close loss, falling to Tulsa, 83-76, Friday night, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. The game marked the final appearance for the Rainbow Warriors as Western Athletic Conference members at the Reynolds Center, site of their back-to-back WAC Tournament championships in 2001 and 2002.

The seven-point loss was the largest margin of defeat for the 'Bows (14-10, 6-9 WAC) this season. UH dropped its third consecutive game and have lost five of its last six games.

Senior guard Jake Sottos led Hawai'i with 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting and five 3-pointers. Sottos scored 19 in the second half and converted 5-of-7 shots from the field in the period. Backcourt mate Matt Gibson added 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Forwards Jeff Blackett chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds while Julian Sensley added 11 points and eight boards.

TU guard Brett McDade scored a career-high 22 points to lead four players in double figures. Forward Jarius Glenn tallied 16 points and four rebounds while center Anthony Price had 15 points and six boards.

After a Glenn free throw put TU (8-17, 4-11) up by one with 3:32 remaining, Sensley drained a 3-pointer to give the 'Bows a brief 73-71 lead. But the Hurricane answered right back with Chris Wallace's trey. Three free throws put TU up by four until Gibson's lay-up closed the deficit to two with 1:33 left.

UH had a chance to regain the lead but Sensley's 3-point attempt from the top of the key with under a minute to play was wide. On TU's next possession, Glenn misfired on his 3-point attempt but the Hurricane grabbed the offensive rebound with 15 seconds remaining.

TU then made six free throws in the final seconds to secure the victory.

The 'Bows trailed 31-28 at the half after both teams shot poorly from the field. UH was 11-of-34 while Tulsa converted 10-of-29 attempts. The 'Bows erased an early eight-point deficit with a 10-1 run to take an 18-17 lead with 6:42 left in the half.

UH trailed for much of the second half. After the 'Bows tied the game at 42, four minutes into the second half, the Hurricane scored seven unanswered to take a 49-42 advantage. UH finally caught Tulsa again after eight straight points by Sottos tied the game at 68 with 5:02 remaining.

The 'Bows next face Rice, Sunday, Feb. 27 in their final appearance as WAC members in Autry Court. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m. CST (10:05 a.m. HST).

-uh-