HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team lost its third straight contest with a 83-72 setback to CSU Bakersfield Saturday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors fell to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the Big West.
 
Justin Webster scored a career-high 23 points but it wasn't enough against the Roadrunners (9-4, 5-1 Big West) who extended their win streak to five games with their second win in as many nights against the 'Bows
 
CSUB withstood a hot UH start then relied on its signature rugged play. The Runners out-scored UH 40-24 in the paint and nearly doubled up UH on the boards (39-20). Four players scored in double-digits for CSUB, led by Justin Edler-Davis with 22.  

UH looked like its was ready to avenge Friday's 60-55 loss in the first game of the series. The 'Bows came out blazing, burying three straight three-pointers to take a 9-0 lead barely two minutes into the game. But the Roadrunners were unfazed and flipped the script on UH. UH had a scoreless stretch of near five minutes while CSUB used a 20-2 run to take a double-digit (37-27) lead at the break.
 
CSUB maintained a double-digit lead through much of the second half, thwarting every comeback bid by UH.  The Runners hit their first five shots out of the locker room and shot 52 percent in the second half. Despite the best efforts late by Webster – who scored 18 of his points after the break – UH could get no closer than seven points. James Jean-Marie added 14 points and seven rebounds for UH.
 
UH is off to its slowest four-game start (1-3) since joining the Big West. The loss also marked just fourth time that UH has lost consecutive conference home games in the Big West.

The 'Bows next head to the road to face Cal State Fullerton for a pair of games on January 22 and 23. Tipoff for both contests is 5:00 p.m. PT/3:00 p.m. HT.