Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team used a 25-6 second half run to hold off Utah State, 69-61, Monday night, in a Western Athletic Conference match-up at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors (12-9, 3-5 WAC) improved to 10-2 at home this season.

Junior guard Matt Gibson ignited the UH rally by scoring 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second half. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native, scored 11 during a 13-2 run which erased a 45-38 deficit and gave the 'Bows a 51-47 lead.

Bobby Nash finished with 15 points, including 11 in the opening half. Matt Lojeski had an all-around game with 11 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds.

As a team, the 'Bows had a season-high 10 blocks and held Jaycee Carroll, the WAC's leading scorer, to 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting before fouling out late in the game.

Chaz Spicer scored a team-high 18 points for the Aggies (15-7, 4-5), which dropped to 0-5 on the road in WAC play.

In the first half, a 7-0 run gave UH the lead at 17-15. The 'Bows took their largest lead at the half at 23-18. But the Aggies responded and closed out the period on a 7-2 run to tie it at 25 at the break.

Nash was the team leader at the half with 11 points while Gueye grabbed seven boards and blocked four of his five shots. Spicer led the Aggies with 12 points.

UH scored the first six points of the second half before the Aggies tied it with consecutive threes by Nick Hammer and Carroll. Spicer gave USU its first lead of the half at 34-33 with his third long ball.

After a Carroll lay-up, Chris Session forced Gueye into his fourth foul and his three-point play gave the Aggies a 39-36 lead. UH got into more trouble in the paint as center Stephen Verwers fouled out with 11:27 remaining. USU extended its lead to 45-38 before Gibson got hot.

Gibson, who did not start for the first time this season due to disciplinary reasons, ignited a 25-6 spurt, including a deep three in the corner, that gave UH its largest lead at 63-51 with 2:26 left.

At half, the Warrior football team has recognized for their 11-3 season and Hawai`i Bowl victory. It concluded with the team performing a haka, that brought the home crowd to its feet.

The 'Bows begin the second half of the WAC season at Fresno State, Thursday, February 1. Tip-off is 7:00 p.m. PST (5:00 p.m. HST) at the Save Mart Center.

-UH-