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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team nearly pulled off a monumental win before eventually succumbing to No. 25 Utah State 89-84 in double-overtime Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

 

The Rainbow Warriors (12-9, 3-6 WAC) overcame a 12-point deficit in the final eight minutes to force overtime and were one defensive stop away from the upset in the first overtime, but eventually were out-lasted by the Aggies in the second overtime period.

 

Brockeith Pane hit the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds left in the second overtime period to help the Aggies (20-2, 9-0 WAC) win its 15^th straight game and remain undefeated in conference play. Utah State has now won 23 straight WAC regular-season games dating back to last season.

 

Zane Johnson, who sat out the majority of the first half after being swiped in the head, led UH with 25 points, tying a career-high. Johnson scored eight of his points in a crucial 17-4 run late in regulation that helped the 'Bows send the game into overtime. Senior Bill Amis, who missed the first meeting between the teams in Logan, finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

 

Meanwhile, Jermiah Ostrowski gave an inspirational performance. Suiting up mere days after the sudden death of his father, the junior guard gave UH a huge lift off the bench with a career game of 15 points, six assists and three steals in 38 minutes of action.  

 

UH trailed 33-27 at halftime and fell behind by as many 12 points, 56-44, with eight minutes remaining. The 'Bows rallied and Amis' putback with 2:14 left gave UH a one-point lead. That was the first of five lead changes in the closing two minutes of regulation as the game went into overtime after Utah State's Brian Green hit a game-tying jumper that UH could not match on its last possession.

 

Green, who finished with a team-high 22 points for the Aggies, came up big again for the Aggies in the first overtime period. UH led 73-70 with less than 30 seconds remaining and were looking for one more defensive stop. But Green hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to sent the game into a second-overtime period where they ultimately out-lasted the 'Bows.

 

UH now heads to the road for a pair of games in Idaho, beginning with a matchup against Boise State on Thursday, Feb. 3. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. MT (4:00 p.m. HT).