HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team found little holiday cheer in falling to Princeton, 77-63, in the fifth place game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH finished the tournament 1-2 overall, while dropping its first Christmas Day affair in five years.
 
The Rainbow Warriors (8-4) and Tigers (7-7) were tied after a competitive first half, but it was all Princeton after the break. The Tiger built a double-digit lead five minutes in the second half and maintained it for nearly the entirety of the final 15 minutes.
 
Mike Thomas led UH with 22 points, all but three of those coming in the first half, while adding seven rebounds. Brocke Stepteau chipped in 15 points for the Rainbow Warriors. Devin Cannady led Princeton with a game-high 26 points.
 
The first half was tight one with six ties and six lead changes as neither team lead by more than four points. The teams were locked 31-31 going in to the locker room. Thomas was unstoppable in the first half, playing foul-free basket ball and scoring 19 points on 9-of 12 shooting.
 
But Princeton jumped out on UH after the break. UH started the half missing four of its first five shots and committing five turnovers in five minutes. The Tigers took full advantage, going on 12-2 run to build its first double-digit lead.
 
The Tigers pushed its lead to as many as 16 points as UH -- victimized by poor second-half foul shooting (7-17) and an efficient Princeton offense (56 percent) -- could get no closer than eight the rest of the way.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will return to action on Friday, Dec. 29 when it hosts Howard in their final non-conference game before opening Big West play. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Dec. 25 Results
7th Place Game: Davidson 91, Akron 78
5th Place Game: Princeton 77, Hawai'I 63
3rd Place Game: Miami 84, Middle Tennessee 81
Championship: USC 77, New Mexico State 72

All-Tournament Team
Dewan Huell, Miami
Jemerrio Jones, New Mexico State
Zach Lofton, New Mexico State
Chimezie Metu, USC
MOP: Bennie Boatwright, USC