Box Score

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got back in the win column with a 74-61 victory over UC Davis Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The 'Bows used a strong second half effort to snap a two-game slide and improve to 3-4.
 
UH got the job on both ends of the court. The 'Bows shot a season-high 56 percent from the floor, including a sizzling 67 percent in the decisive second half. But it was on the defensive end where UH won the game, holding the Mustangs (1-8) to just one field in nine minutes down the stretch.
 
Vander Joaquim recorded his first double-double of the season and ninth of his career with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Zane Johnson regained his shooting touch with a game-high 19 points. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Ostrowski, got the starting nod just four days after joining the team following the conclusion of the football season. The senior point guard finished with a game-high eight assists in 24 minutes played.
 
Head coach Gib Arnold shook up his starting lineup with usual reserves Hauns Brereton and Davis Rozitis joining, Ostrowski, Bobby Miles and Trevor Wiseman for the opening tip-off. The first half was a back-and-forth affair with seven ties and seven lead changes and no lead larger than six points. The Mustangs took a 39-34 lead into the break on the strength of 6-of-13 shooting from three-point territory
 
The 'Bows surrendered the first basket of the second half to go down by seven points, but eventually got back into the game with a 9-0 run to give them a 49-46 lead. UC Davis retook the lead at 56-51 with 10 minutes left, but that was when UH took over. The 'Bows scored 14 unanswered points to take a 65-56 lead and  effectively put the game away.
 
UH won the battle of the boards, 44-29, and also dominated at the free throw line, where they outscored the Mustangs, 17-1. The two teams will meet again next year as conference rivals in the Big West. UH improved to 3-1 this season against Big West teams with wins also against Cal State Northridge and Pacific.  
 
UH will next head to the neighbor islands for a pair of games. The 'Bows will play UH Hilo at Kealakehe Gym on Dec. 16 then head to Wailuku, Maui for a meeting with North Carolina A&T at War Memorial Gym on Dec. 18.