Box Score | Box Score (pdf) | Photo Gallery (Courtesy of Warren Haraki)

IRVINE, Calif. – In a matchup of Big West Conference heavyweights, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team used a game-ending 9-0 run to shock UC Irvine 75-71 Saturday at the Bren Events Center. The 'Bows improved to 22-3 and now, with an 11-1 league mark, have a two-game lead over the Anteaters for the top spot in the conference.
 
Stefan Jankovic once again led the 'Bows who remain perfect in Big West road play (6-0). He followed up his 34-point effort against CSUN on Thursday with 25 points (7-12) and six rebounds tonight. He also shot 9-12 from the free throw line as UH outscored the Anteaters 45-33 in the second half.
 
Luke Nelson's layup put UCI ahead 71-66 with just over two minutes to play, but it would be all Rainbow Warriors from then on. Roderick Bobbitt found a streaking Mike Thomas who scored to cut the lead to two points, then a corner three pointer from Aaron Valdes gave the 'Bows their first lead, one they would not relinquish, since seven minutes remaining in the first half.
 
Bobbitt delivered another solid effort with seven points, six assists and five steals which pulled him to within four steals of UH's career mark. Valdes returned from a one-game absence to contribute 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Nelson led the Anteaters (20-8, 9-3 BWC) with 18 points and seven assists while Mamadou Ndiaye added 15 points and three blocks.
 
Ioannis Dimakopoulos had it going early for UCI with four points but it would be Valdes' high flying act that would put the 'Bows up. A put-back dunk followed by back-to-back alley-oops from Bobbitt, the second on an out-of-bounds play, gave Hawai'i a 17-13 lead.
 
The 'Bows would cool off though and had to battle through a couple of scoreless stretches in the first half. Sai Tummala (11 points) ended a 4:17 scoring drought to regain the lead at 19-18 then tied the score with a three pointer.
 
The Anteaters responded with a 12-3 run however to go up by eight points and enter halftime with a 38-30 lead.
 
The 'Bows now return home to play UC Riverside on Thursday, Feb. 25 then CSUN on Saturday for Senior Night.