Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - One game after picking up its first road win of the season, the Hawai`i men's basketball team dropped another heartbreaker, a 73-67 setback to Fresno State, Monday night, in a key Western Athletic Conference game at the Save Mart Center. The Rainbow Warriors (13-9, 7-5 WAC) dropped their seventh road game of the season and fell into sole possession of fourth place in the league standings.

Guard Matt Lojeski led the 'Bows with 20 points, his fifth 20-point game of the season and the team's first loss when the junior reaches that mark. Lojeski was 8-of-12 from the field but his 3-point attempt from the corner in the final minute could have pulled UH to within one.

Forward Julian Sensley had 16 points and eight rebounds. The senior had his streak of three straight 20-point games snapped. Point guard Deonte Tatum added 11 points and five assists. Foward Ahmet Gueye had nine points, eight rebounds, and a season-high five blocks.

In the loss, the 'Bows broke the single-season school record for blocked shots. Through 22 games, UH has 129 blocks, eclipsing the previous mark of 128 set during the 1993-94 season. The 'Bows out-shot the 'Dogs from the field, 49.1 to 42.9 percent but was 1-of-12 from 3-point range.

Fresno State (13-10, 6-6) forward Quinton Hosley led all scorers with 25 points. Guard Ja'Vance Coleman added 18 points and was 4-of-8 from 3-point range. As a team, the Bulldogs converted 8-of-25 attempts from 3-point range.

It was a fast paced start to the first half as the 'Bows held a 13-10 lead through the first five minutes. The pace settled down and the lead traded hands six times until the Bulldogs closed the half with an 8-0 run to take a 38-30 halftime lead.

Hosley and Coleman combined to score 27 of the team's 38 first half points. UH shot 46.4 percent from the field but misfired on all six of its 3-point attempts. In contrast, the 'Dogs made 5-of-11 from beyond the arc led by Coleman's three treys. Sensley led all Hawai`i scorers with nine points.

The Bulldogs opened up a 13-point lead to start the second half. The 'Dogs pushed their lead to 14 before the 'Bows started their comeback. UH's only 3-pointer of the game by Lojeski closed the deficit to 67-60 with 4:45 remaining.

With just over a minute to play, the 'Bows pulled to within 71-67 after another Lojeski bucket. Coleman missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Lojeski a chance to bring UH closer but he misfired on a 3-point attempt from the corner with 20 seconds left.

The 'Bows return to Honolulu to host Santa Clara of the West Coast Conference, Saturday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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