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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team nabbed its second straight conference win with a 62-52 victory over Fresno State Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 11-8 overall and 2-5 in the Western Athletic Conference.

 

The 'Bows put together a strong first half, including a decisive 17-0 run, then held off a second-half rally by the Bulldogs (7-10, 3-4 WAC) to secure its first WAC home win. After an 0-5 start, UH is slowly climbing up the WAC ladder. UH moved into sole possession of seventh place in the WAC and is just a game behind Fresno State for the sixth spot.

 

Defense was the story again for the Rainbow Warriors who held Fresno State scoreless during a key seven-minute stretch in the first half. The Bulldogs ended shooting just 37 percent from the floor, including 29 percent in the first half, and just 26 percent from three-point land.  

 

Vander Joaquim led UH with 13 points and 10 rebounds and helped squelch any comeback hopes for Fresno State when he scored eight straight UH points down the stretch. Bill Amis posted his second straight double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman Bo Barnes broke out of his slump with 12 points on four three-pointers. Joston Thomas, who returned to the starting lineup after three games off the bench, added 12 points and seven rebounds.

 

UH came out smoking in the first half, nailing 7-of-10 three-pointers, including four by Barnes to lead by as many as 22 points. The 'Bows held Fresno State to just one field goal in the final 8:36 and eventually took a 41-21 lead into the locker room, its largest halftime advantage of the season.

 

The Bulldogs rallied in the second half, setting the tone with seven straight points out of the locker room. Fresno State cut the deficit to just five points on a pair of occasions and trailed just 48-43 with seven minutes remaining. But the 'Bows wouldn't back down making key stops down the stretch and going inside to Joaquim who scored 10 of the team's final 14 points.  

 

UH continues its three-game homestand with a matchup with San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.