HONOLULU – The University of Hawaii men's basketball team mounted a furious rally before falling just short in an 81-76 loss to South Dakota on the second evening of the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH dropped to 1-1 with its first setback of the season.
 
Behind the offensive exploits of Eddie Stansberry, UH nearly erased an 11-point deficit in the final seven minutes. Stansberry scored all 21 of his points in the second half, including a three-pointer with 28 seconds to make it just a two point game. In all, UH cut the deficit to two points on three occasions in the final minutes, but ultimately couldn't get over the hump.
 
Triston Simpson (22 points) and Stanley Umude (21) combined for 43 points to lead South Dakota.  The Coyotes (2-0), who defeated Pacific on Friday, have a chance to capture the Rainbow Classic title with a win over Florida A&M on Monday.  
 
In the first-ever meeting between the teams, USD led for nearly the duration of the game. The  Coyotes got off to a hot start, scoring 11 of the game's first 13 point. UH responded a 14-4 run to take a 16-15 lead on a Justin Hemsley three-pointer. But it would be a short-lived and only lead of the game for UH. The Coyotes shot 48 percent in the first half, while UH just 36 percent as USD took a 35-27 lead into the locker room.
 
The Rainbow Warriors scored the first six points after the break and shot as sizzling 60 percent in the second half. The Coyotes, however, turned back every UH surge and sealed the game at the free throw line where they finished 24-of-29 for the game.  
 
Samuta Avea finished with 14 points for UH, while Drew Buggs added 12 points and five assists.
 
UH will conclude the tournament with a meeting versus Pacific on Monday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m.