Box Score
Updated Bracket

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team defeated Utah, 68-55, on the second evening of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. The 'Bows used a strong second-half effort to pull away from the Utes and improve to 8-3 on the season.

 

After suffering its first home loss of the season the previous night against Florida State, UH bounced back in a huge way with a win over a former long-time conference rival. UH will now face Mississippi State in the fifth-place game of the tournament on Christmas day at 11:30 a.m.

 

For the second straight night UH played lockdown defense, holding Utah (7-5) to just 33 percent shooting, including 1-of-15 from three-point territory. Meanwhile, UH shot 52 percent in the second half to turn a four-point halftime lead into a comfortable double-digit win.

 

Zane Johnson continued his torrid play leading the team in scoring for the fourth straight game. Johnson scored 17 points with four three-pointers made. Joston Thomas added 15 points, while senior point guard Hiram Thompson gave the team a huge emotional lift, returning to action after a one-game hiatus. Thompson contributed 13 points, two rebounds and two assists while playing 34 minutes off the bench.

 

“Once I had him in, I didn't feel I could take him out,” head coach Gib Arnold said of Thompson. “Even if he wasn't playing great, I would've kept him in because once I take him out, I would've had to keep him out. We started him in warm-ups in the second half and he was fine after then. He's going to be real sore tonight but we're going to give him as much rest as he can until Christmas.”

 

UH got off to a fast start in the game, taking a 10-2 lead. Shortly after Arnold received a technical foul the Utes took their first and only lead, 21-19. It was short-lived as UH scored 10 unanswered and eventually took a 37-33 lead into the locker room.

 

The 'Bows came out of the locker room on all cylinders and a 9-1 run to start the second half gave them their first double-digit lead, 46-34. Utah could get no closer that eight points as UH led by double-digits for nearly the entire duration of the second half.  

 

 

Consolation: Mississippi State 69, San Diego 52

Consolation: Hawai'i Utah

Semifinal: Washington State 77, Baylor 71

Semifinal: Butler 67, Florida State 64

 

7^th Place: San Diego vs. Utah, 9:00 a.m.

5^th Place: Mississippi State vs. Hawai'i, 11:30 a.m.

3^rd Place: Baylor vs. Florida State, 2:30 p.m.

Championship: Washington State vs. Butler, 4:30 p.m.