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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball closed out its regular-season home schedule in style with a 76-70 victory over New Mexico State Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. In the process, UH sent its three departing seniors—Bill Amis, Douglas Kurtz and Hiram Thompson—out as winners in their final home appearance.

 

UH (17-10, 7-7 WAC) led for virtually the entire game but had to hold off a late Aggie rally to secure its fourth straight win and eighth in its last 10 games. The 'Bows continued its ascent up the Western Athletic Conference standings and now sit in a tie for fifth place with two games remaining.

 

Zane Johnson led the way with 22 points, including a critical three pointer late in the game to seal the win. Vander Joaquim recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out with 2:15 left. It was the team-high seventh double-double of the year for the sophomore post player. Meanwhile, Amis put together a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

 

The 'Bows gave another solid defensive effort, holding the Aggies (14-15, 8-6 WAC) to just 36 percent shooting and limiting Troy Gillenwater, one of the league's leading scorers, to just six points. The win was UH's first in seven tries against the Aggies.

 

UH got off to a fast start, scoring eight of the game's first 10 points. The 'Bows eventually built an 11-point lead, 31-20, on a Johnson three-pointer with 5:43 left in the half. NMSU, however closed with a 13-4 run to cut the margin to 35-33 at the break.

 

NMSU tied the score on the first basket of the second half. UH responded with a big run and took its biggest lead of the game, 56-43, with just under 12 minutes remaining. The Aggies, however, chipped into the lead and came within just four points late in the game. But Johnson nailed a huge three-pointer to give UH a seven-point advantage with 1:33 left.

 

The Rainbow Warriors will now conclude its WAC regular season schedule on the road with a pair of games in California, beginning with a meeting against San Jose State on Thursday, March 3. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. HT) at the Event Center.