Box Score

MOSCOW, Idaho - Clyde Johnson's three-pointer with .9 seconds remaining lifted Idaho past the Hawai'i men's basketball team, 76-75, Thursday night, in a Western Athletic Conference match-up at the Cowen Spectrum. The Rainbow Warriors (10-8) fell to 1-4 in WAC play for the first time since 1999.

For the Vandals (3-14, 1-4), the win was just their third of the season and first in WAC play. For the 'Bows, the setback was another in a long line of close losses this season. UH's four WAC defeats have come by a combined 12 points.

In the closing seconds, UH had a chance to make it a two possession game but leading scorer Matt Lojeski missed one of two giving the Vandals a chance to tie. Keoni Watson raced up court and pulled up for a three-pointer with 11.5 second left, tying the score at 73.

On UH's ensuing possession, Dominic Waters was fouled at halfcourt and made both free throws putting the 'Bows ahead by two. But the Vandals responded as O.J. Avworo pushed the ball and found a wide open Johnson, who drained the game-winner. After the officials put .9 seconds on the clock, the 'Bows' final hope faded when Ahmet Gueye's halfcourt shot missed.

Down the stretch, Gueye carried UH on his back. The senior, who finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, scored eight of the team's final 11 points. Eleven of his 15 points came at the foul line.

Waters led the 'Bows with a career-high 18 points, including 14 in the first half. After the break, the sophomore missed both of his field goal attempts and scored only four points. Lojeski had 17 points and nine rebounds. P.J. Owsley and Bobby Nash chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Owsley also grabbed a career-best nine rebounds.

The Vandals got off to a quick 7-0 start forcing UH head coach Riley Wallace to call his first timeout a minute and a half into the game. The 'Bows settled down and used a 14-4 spurt to take a six-point lead.

Idaho responded with three straight three-pointers, including two by Trevor Morris, to re-take the lead at 28-27. UH answered back with a 13-1 run, including three treys by Waters, and maintained its lead through the half at 40-35.

In the second half, UH extended its lead to nine at 59-50 with 8:14 left. The Vandals made a run at the 5:00 mark scoring five unanswered to pull within three at 62-59. The Vandals finally caught the 'Bows at 67 after Desmond Nwoke's turnaround jumper with 2:15 left.

For the game, the 'Bows shot just 36.9 percent from the field but out-rebounded the Vandals, 48-to-39.

Watson scored a team-high 16 points for the Vandals despite converting only 5-of-19 from the field.

The 'Bows next travel to Boise State, Saturday, January 20. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. MST (4:05 p.m. HST) at Taco Bell Arena.

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