HONOLULU – Spurred by a play-making defense,  the University of Hawaii men's basketball team defeated Cal State Fullerton, 70-59, Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 16-11 overall and 7-6 in the Big West.
 
The 'Bows entered the game having lost five of its last six games. But UH picked up a double-digit win by forcing 22 Titan turnovers, the most by a UH opponent this year. UH also held CSF (10-18, 5-8 BW) to just 35 percent shooting in the decisive second half to turn a two-point halftime lead to a comfortable victory.
 
UH swept the season series and have now won five straight against the Titans. With the win UH moved into a three-way tie for third in the Big West standings with UC Davis and CSUN.
 
Drew Buggs led three UH players in double-digits with 20 points. Eddie Stansberry added 15 points, while Justin Webster finished with 10. Johnny Wang led Fullerton with a game-high 21 points.
 
The Titans shot a scorching 61 percent in the first frame, but UH took a 38-36 lead into the locker room on the strength of 20 combined points from Buggs and Stansberry and a suffocating pressure defense that forced 14 turnovers.
 
UH scored the first eight points of the second half to take a double-digit lead. The Titans never got closer than six points thereafter as the 'Bows got a balanced effort on both ends of the court to build its lead to as many as 16 points late in the game.
 
UH, which recorded eight steals, parlayed Fullerton's 22 turnovers into 18 points. The 'Bows also were efficient from the free throw line where they sank 22-of-27 attempts.
 
The team will play its final home game of the season when its takes on UC Riverside in a Whiteout Game on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:00 p.m. Stansberry and Zigmars Raimo will honored following the game as part of Senior Night festivities.