HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team's offensive woes continued with  a 66-52 loss to Utah in the consolation bracket of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
A night after a 26-point loss to Illinois State in the tournament opener, the Rainbow Warriors gave a much stronger effort and ended its recent trend of slow starts. However, the 'Bows  again found difficulty finding the basket, shooting below 30 percent (.294) for the second straight night.
 
UH (4-7) has lost four straight games for its longest skid since the conclusion of the 2012-13 season. UH will now make its first-ever appearance in the DHC seventh-place game where they'll face Southern Miss on Christmas morning at 9:30 a.m. The tournament will conclude with a championship match-up of San Francisco versus San Diego State at 3:00 p.m.
 
The 'Bows played solid defense in stretches and forced 16 Utah turnovers. But the Utes (8-3) ultimately showed their superiority in the blocks, outscoring UH 40-18 in the paint, recording seven blocks, and winning the battle of the boards, 38-25.
 
UH shot 25 percent in the first half en route to 31-18 deficit at the break. Utah built its lead to as many as 20 points midway through the second half as the 'Bows went without a field goal for over six minutes. UH continued to fight, but would get no closer than 10 points down the stretch.
 
Jack Purchase led with 13 points, while Brocke Stepteau added 11. David Collette led the Utes with 17 points and nine rebounds.
 
Dec. 23 Results
San Diego State 82, Tulsa 63
Stephen F. Austin 67, Southern Miss 64
San Francisco 66, Illinois State 58
Utah 66, Hawai'I 52
 
Dec. 25 Schedule
5th-Place Game: Utah vs. Stephen F. Austin, 7:30 a.m.
7th-Place Game: Hawai'I vs. Southern Miss, 9:30 a.m.
3rd-Place Game: Illinois State vs. Tulsa, 1:00 p.m.
Championship: San Francisco vs. San Diego State, 3:00 p.m.
 
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