Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i men's basketball team finished a six-game December homestand with a 66-53 non-conference victory over Tennessee-Martin, Thursday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors (9-4) have won five straight since beginning the month with a loss to UNLV.

In their final tune-up before the Western Athletic Conference season begins next week, the 'Bows used a balanced attack with five players scoring nine points or more. Guard Riley Luettgerodt led the way with his first career double-double. In his first start, the Gladstone, Ore., native had team-highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Bobby Nash just missed out on his second career double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Matt Lojeski, the reining WAC player of the week, had nine points and a team-best seven assists. Matt Gibson and P.J. Owsley both had nine points.

The 'Bows held the Skyhawks to 34 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers. On the downside, UH converted a season-low 50 percent from the foul line and committed 21 turnovers.

Nash scored six of the team's first eight points as UH jumped out to a 12-4 lead to open the game. The 'Bows extended their lead to 26-11 and maintained their double-digit lead throughout nearly the remainder of the first half which UH led 39-26 at the break.

The 'Bows led by as much as 22 in the second half and the Skyhawks never got closer than the final margin the rest of the way.

Zerek Knight scored a team-high 12 points for UT Martin (3-11).

UH played the game without starting center Ahmet Gueye and reserve guard John Wilder. Both are expected to be ready for the team's WAC opener next week. The 'Bows begin their WAC season on the road with games at New Mexico State, Jan. 4 and Louisiana Tech, Jan. 6.

-UH-