Box Score

BOISE, Idaho – The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Warrior basketball team mounted a spirited comeback that ultimately fell short in a 54-49 loss to Boise State Saturday night at the Taco Bell Arena. UH dropped to 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the Western Athletic Conference with its second straight loss and third loss in its last four games.  

 

Boise State (12-3, 3-0 WAC) won its sixth straight game and remained undefeated in the WAC. The Broncos also continued its recent mastery over the 'Bows with its fifth straight win in the series, including its second victory in the last week. BSU beat UH, 70-58, last Saturday in the WAC opener for both teams.

 

Anthony Thomas scored nine of the final 11 points for the Broncos and finished with a team-high 13 points to help turn back the 'Bows.

 

Roderick Flemings led UH with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. The rest of the team, however, shot just 10-of-35 from the floor as the 'Bows were limited to under 50 points for the second straight game. UH shot just 33 percent from the field and missed 11 of its 23 free throw attempts.

 

A critical 13-1 run during the end of the first half and beginning of the second half helped propel Boise State to victory. UH trailed just 24-23 late in the first half, but the Broncos scored nine unanswered including, including a three-point bank shot by La`Shard Anderson as the shot clock expired. Boise State led 33-23 at intermission.

 

Despite their offensive struggles the Rainbow Warriors had a chance to pull off the upset. After trailing for nearly the entire game, including a 13-point deficit early in the second half, Hawai`i rallied with some stellar defense. UH limited Boise State to just two field goals during the first 14 minutes of the second half.

 

Flemings' three-pointer with just under seven minutes gave Hawai`i its first and only lead of the game, 44-43. Thomas answered right back with a driving scoop shot as the shot clock expired and a steal and break away layup to put Boise State back up by three points.

 

A Kareem Nitoto free throw tied the score, 47-47, with 2:23 left. But again it would be Thomas to turn back the 'Bows as he buried his only three pointer of the game on the next possession to put the Broncos up for good with 2:10 left. UH turned the ball over on four successive trips down the floor to extinguish any comeback hopes.

 

UH returns home to host San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.