Box Score

BOISE, Idaho - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team's struggles on the road continued after a 73-62 loss at Boise State, Saturday night, in a Western Athletic Conference match-up at sold-out Taco Bell Arena. The Rainbow Warriors (10-9, 1-5 WAC) are now winless in six road games this season.

Matt Nelson and Anthony Thomas combined to score 46 points for the Broncos (9-8, 3-3). Nelson led the way with 25 points, on 9-of-13 shooting, and grabbed 10 rebounds while Thomas posted a career-best 21 points and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line.

The 'Bows, off to their worst start in WAC play since 1999, were led by Bobby Nash and Ahmet Gueye, who each scored 16 points. Leading scorer Matt Lojeski added 14 points, all in the second half, on 5-of-13 shooting.

For the game, UH allowed the Broncos to shoot 52.3 percent from the field and were out-rebounded for just the third time all season, 36-to-32. UH nearly shot its season-low at 33.8 percent and was a dismal 3-of-21 from three-point range.

In the first half, the Broncos scored nine straight during a 13-2 run to surge ahead 23-16. BSU pushed its lead to as many as nine before the 'Bows cut it to 33-27 at the half.

UH shot 32.3 percent from the field in the period including Lojeski's 0-for-3 performance. Gueye led the 'Bows with 12 points and six boards. Nelson was equally effective for the Broncos, scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds. BSU's leading scorer Coby Karl was held scoreless, as well, missing his only attempt.

Early in the second half, the 'Bows cut the deficit to 36-33 but the Broncos reeled off seven straight to take their first double digit lead. UH responded with a 9-2 run to pull within 45-42 with 13:49 left.

Moments later, BSU scored seven unanswered to push its lead back to double digits before UH made one final push closing to 61-56 following a Lojeski dunk at the 5:18 mark. But that would be as close as the 'Bows would get as Thomas scored five straight and the Broncos took their largest lead at 68-56 with 2:55 remaining.

The loudest cheers of the night occurred at halftime when the sold-out crowd celebrated BSU's undefeated football team and its Fiesta Bowl victory.

The 'Bows return to Honolulu to host San Jose State, Thursday, January 25 and Utah State, Monday, January 29. Tip-off for both games is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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