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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team pulled out its grittiest victory of the season, coming from behind to defeat Omaha, 77-73,  Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors wrapped up non-conference play with their ninth win its last 10 games to improve to 11-3 on the year.
 
Sophomore Isaac Fotu poured in a season-high 26 points to help lift UH to the win. Fotu, who also added eight rebounds, scored 22 of his points in the second half as the 'Bows overcome a nine-point deficit with less than eight minutes remaining.
 
Omaha (10-5) led for the majority of the game and thwarted nearly every UH rally. The 'Bows, however, wouldn't be denied and ended the game on a 21-8 run. UH won despite shooting a season low 39.7 percent from the field, including just 2-of-16 (.125) from three-point range.
 
The first half was a flurry of back-and-forth action with seven ties and six lead changes. Omaha ultimately took a 36-32 lead into the locker room on the strength of its three-point shooting (5-of-9) and would continue to hold that lead until the final minute of regulation.
 
The Mavs, who entered the game having won seven of its previous eight games, had its eyes on another victory by building a 65-56 lead with 7:44 remaining. UH, however, went on a 9-2 run to get back into the game and set up a thrilling finish.
 
The 'Bows moved within one-point, 72-71, on a Christian Standhardinger layup with 1:35 remaining, then stopped the Mavs to regain possession with a chance to take the lead. Standhardinger drew a foul on UH's next possession—as well as a technical on Omaha's Mike Rostampour—for the most decisive play of the game with 53 seconds remaining.
 
Keith Shamburger gave UH its first lead since early in the game on a pair of free throws resulting from the technical. Standhardinger, who finished with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) added another free throw to give UH a two-point lead. Omaha had a chance to tie the game on their ensuing possession, but missed two shots near the rim. The 'Bows then sealed the game with three free throws in the final 13 seconds.
 
The Rainbow Warriors next begins Big West play with a pair of road games beginning with a contest at Cal Poly on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. HT).