Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team avenged an earlier loss to Idaho and moved one step closer to evening their Western Athletic Conference record after a 81-64 victory, Thursday night, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors (17-12, 7-8 WAC) were the only WAC team to fall victim to the Vandals this season.

The 'Bows built an early double digit lead with a barrage of threes in the first half. Following an 16-0 run, UH led 34-13 and went into the half with a 45-26 cushion. The 'Bows shot 59 percent in the opening period and connected on 6-of-7 from three-point range.

All 12 players saw action for the 'Bows, who were led in scoring by Matt Lojeski with 20 points. Also scoring in double figures were Bobby Nash (15) and Matt Gibson (10). Ahmet Gueye added nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

As a team, the 'Bows shot 49 percent and converted on 8-of-13 from three-point range. The 'Bows held the Vandals to 37 percent shooting in the first half and held a 40-to-29 rebounding advantage.

The lone bright spot for the Vandals (3-25, 1-14), who dropped their 11th straight game, was guard Keoni Watson. The smallest player on the court who was born in Hawai'i, scored a career-high 34 points. His point total was the eighth most in the Stan Sheriff Center and most by a UH opponent this season.

The win pushed UH past Louisiana Tech in the WAC standings into sixth place with a chance to move up to fifth with a win on Saturday.

At halftime, the UH Circle of Honor inducted two individuals and one team in a special ceremony. Longtime UH statistician and donor Toshio "Bob" Nagatani along with former football player Joe Onosai and the 1955 Rainbow football team were inducted as part of the class of 2006.

Tip-off for Saturday's regular season finale against Boise State is 5:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. Following the game, seniors Lojeski and Gueye will take their parting shot in the traditional "Senior Night" ceremony. In addition, head coach Riley Wallace, who will retire following the season, will be honored in a special tribute.

-UH-