Game Notes

LAS VEGAS—The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team looks to keep its season alive when it faces New Mexico State in the semifinals of the 2012 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Friday, March 9 at the Orleans Arena. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. PT (4:00 p.m. HT).

UH (16-15) advanced to the semifinals following an exhilarating 72-70 quarterfinal win over Idaho on Thursday.  The Rainbow Warriors broke a string of six straight tournament losses dating back to 2005, while also stopping a season-long five-game losing skid. Vander Joaquim tallied 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Hauns Brereton had 17 points and 11 rebounds, including the game-winning bucket with three seconds win.

The win propelled UH into the tournament semifinals for the first time since 2003 as the No. 6 seed 'Bows will now face the No. 2 seed New Mexico State Aggies (24-9). The team's split the regular-season series with UH winning, 91-87, in Honolulu and the Aggies defeating UH, 115-73, in Las Cruces one month later. The 42-point loss at NMSU was UH's second-largest margin defeat ever in a WAC contest.

The team's have met once before in the WAC Tournament with the Aggies clipping the 'Bows, 58-57, in the 2006 quarterfinals. UH looks to advance to the tournament finals for the first time since winning the championship in 2002.
 
Game 32 Tipoff Notes
What: 2012 Verizon Western Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals
Who: Hawai'i (16-15, 6-8 WAC) vs. New Mexico State (24-9, 10-4 WAC)
Date: Friday, Mar. 9, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. PT
Where:  Orleans Arena (7,471) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Television: WAC Sports Network. Live statewide on KFVE-TV with Guy Haberman (play-by-play) and Bob Donewald (color).
Streaming Video:  Live video streaming is available at WAC.tv.
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and Jeff Portnoy (color). Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at wacsports.com
Ticket Information: Single-session tickets range from $50-70 and may be purchased through the Orleans Arena box office or at www.orleansarena.com. All session tickets are also available.
Coaches: Gib Arnold is in his second year at UH (35-28). Marvin Menzies is in his fifth year at New Mexico State (100-77).
Series Information: New Mexico State leads, 13-4