NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team enjoyed one of its best offensive games of the season, but it wasn't enough in an 86-82 loss to CSUN Saturday night at the Matadome. The Rainbow Warriors concluded its regular-season 17-13 overall and 8-8 in the Big West.
 
With the result, UH finished in a tie for fourth place in the league standings with UC Davis. The fourth-seeded Rainbow Warriors will take on the fifth-seeded Aggies in next week's Big West Tournament quarterfinals at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Game time is 8:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. HT on Thursday, March 12.
 
CSUN (15-17, 10-6 BW), meanwhile, picked up their fourth straight win and earned the No. 2 seed for the tournament. Lamine Diane exploded for 34 points and 15 rebounds, while Terrell Gomez added 24.
 
UH fell to the Matadors despite career-highs from both Eddie Stansberry and Samuta Avea. Stansberry poured in 31 points and drained seven three-pointers, tied for his career best. Avea finished with 20 points, eclipsing his previous career-high of 18 in UH's win at UC Davis on Thursday.
 
There were plenty of offensive fireworks in a first half that ended knotted, 47-47. UH shot a sizzling 62 percent in the first frame and led by as many as 10 points. Stansberry, Avea and Justin Hemsley  combined for all but four of the teams points while draining seven three-pointers.
 
The second half continued to be back-and-forth. UH took a 76-75 lead with five minutes left on a pair of Avea free throws. But the Matadors got a three-pointer from Gomez and another bucket by Diane to seize a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
 
UH had possession of the ball, down by just three points with 12 seconds left. But the Matadors sent UH to the free throw line with just four seconds left. Hemsley made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, however, the Matadors grabbed the rebound and sealed the game on a pair of Gomez free throws with two seconds left.

Hemlsey finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Zigmars Raimo added 12 points - all of them coming in the second half. UH's 82 points were its most in Big West play this year and it highest total since scoring a season-high 91 versus Maine on Dec. 29.