GAME NOTES

IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team takes on UC Irvine on Saturday, January 7 in a meeting between last year's Big West regular-season co-champions.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. HT.
 
This will be just the second road game of the year for the Rainbow Warriors (6-8, 0-1 Big West), who dropped their Big West opener at Cal State Fullerton, 67-64, on Thursday. The 'Bows nearly erased a 13-point second half deficit against the Titans and had a chance to send the game into overtime on the final possession. However, Leland Green's three-point attempt fell off the mark as time expired. UH's game at Fullerton was its fourth this year that came down to the final possession as the 'Bows dropped to 1-3 in those contests.
 
UH now takes on a UC Irvine (8-9, 1-0 Big West) squad that has won three straight, including an 82-67 dismantling of Big West preseason favorite Long Beach State on Wednesday. UCI moved to 5-1 at home this year with the win. The Anteaters, picked second in the preseason, remain an elite defensive squad, leading the league in field goal percentage defense, rebound margin, and blocked shots.
 
Last year, UH and UCI each finished with a 13-3 mark to share the league title. UH swept the regular-season series last season with wins in Honolulu (74-52) and Irvine (75-71).
 
Game 15 Tipoff Notes
Television: Fox Prime Ticket. Mark Rogondino (PxP), Corey Maggette (color), Rashaun Haylock (sideline)
Streaming Video: FoxSportsGo.com
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM. Bobby Curran (PxP).
Streaming Audio: espn1420am.com
Live Stats: UCIrvineSports.com
Twitter: @HawaiiMBB #HawaiiMBB
Coaches: Eran Ganot is in his second season at UH (34-14). Russell Turner is in his seventh season at UCI (126-99).
Series Information: UC Irvine leads, 9-5
'Bow Bits: UH currently tops all Big West teams in scoring defense (64.7, 42nd NCAA), turnovers forced (14.9), free throw percentage (.723), and fewest personal fouls (17.4)…freshman guard Leland Green is averaging 9.7 ppg and 6.3 rpg the last three contests, more than double his season averages…sophomore forward Jack Purchase has been the team's leading scorer in the last four games, averaging 15.0 ppg while going 15-of-33 from behind the arc…Purchase has drained 23 of his 25 free throw attempts this year (.920)…after out-rebounding six of its first seven opponents this year, UH has been out-rebounded in five of its last seven contests.