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LONG BEACH, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball came achingly close to a huge road win, before falling to Long Beach State, 76-72, Saturday afternoon at the Walter Pyramid. Mike Caffey's running jumper with two seconds remaining proved the game-winner in a showdown of the top two teams in the Big West.
 
With the win the 49ers (8-8, 4-1 BWC) went a game up on the Rainbow Warriors (9-7, 3-2 BWC) in the league standings. But it didn't come easy as UH nearly handed Long Beach State its first home conference loss since 2010. Instead, the 49ers extended their conference home win streak to 20 games, while UH dropped its second straight road game by just four points.  
 
Caffey scored a game-high 18 points, leading four 49ers in double-digits. UH was led by Brandon Jawato who scored 16 points and spurred a UH rally that erased a double-digit deficit in the final eight minutes. Jawato scored eight of UH's final 10 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 1:08 left to tie the score, 72-72.
 
After a pair of missed LBSU free throws, the 'Bows had a chance to take the lead but instead committed a costly turnover. The 49ers retained possession with 13.8 seconds to set up Caffey's heroics. UH had one last chance and sent a long inbound pass but were whistled for a foul on the play to seal their fate.
 
The first half was full of runs. The 49ers scored the first six points of the game, but the Rainbow Warriors reeled off 11 unanswered, part of a 14-1 run that gave them an early seven-point lead. LBSU responded with a 13-2 run of its own and would maintain that lead into the half, taking a 43-36 on the strength of eight 3-pointers.
 
The 49ers looked to gain separation in the second half and a pair of back-to-back three-pointers gave them a 61-51 lead with 8:52 remaining. But UH wouldn't quit and clawed their way back with a 19-9 run with 10 of those points coming Jawato.
 
But it wouldn't be enough as Long Beach State finished 10 three-pointers to help lift them to victory. UH buried seven three-pointers—four by Jawato—but struggled at the line, converting just 7-of-15 free throws.
 
Vander Joaquim added 13 points for the 'Bows and is now just nine points shy of the 1,000-point milestone.
 
UH will now return home for a pair of Big West games beginning with a contest versus Pacific on Thursday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.