Box Score

LOGAN, Utah - The University of Hawai`i men's basketball team gave a gritty effort before finally succumbing to Utah State, 86-80 in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams Thursday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. UH dropped to 4-9 overall and 0-1 in the WAC with the loss.

The Rainbow Warriors came in as the prohibitive underdog against an Aggie squad tabbed as the conference favorite in the preseason coaches' poll. But UH gave Utah State all it could handle before the Aggies pulled away in the final minutes.

Freshman post player Tai Wesley scored a career-high 27 points, while all-WAC senior guard Jaycee Carroll, the conference's leading scorer, poured in 26 points to help Utah State (11-5, 1-0 WAC) win its sixth straight game.

Matt Gibson gave a strong effort for UH tallying a season-high 25 points and tying his career high with eight assists. Three others finished in double-digits for UH, including Bobby Nash (19), Riley Luettgerodt (16) and Jared Dillinger (12).

The 'Bows' aggressive play kept them in the game as the out-rebounded the Aggies and grabbed half their 28 rebounds on the offensive glass. UH also hit a season-high 10 three-pointers, including five by Nash.

UH though was ultimately undone by Wesley and the Utah State inside game. The Aggies shot 61 percent from the floor and out-scored UH 34-20 in the paint. Utah State made 41 trips to the free throw line, converting on 31, with Wesley going 13-of-16.

Hawai`i hung tough in the first half as both teams got off to a torrid start. The Aggies hit eight of its first nine shots and led by six points early. UH responded with an 11-2 run, capped by a Gibson three-pointer to stake a 26-22 lead midway through the half. After 12 lead changes and three ties, Utah State took a slim three-point edge, 36-33, into the locker room.

UH never reclaimed the lead in the second half, but stayed close throughout. It was a 65-63 game with just under seven minutes before the Aggies finally put some distance between the teams. Utah State went on a 9-0 run to take its first double-digit lead of the game, 74-63, capped by a Carroll three-pointer with four minutes left.

Hawai`i completes its first conference road trip of the year at San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 5. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. PST (5:00 p.m. HT).

 

 

 

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