LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A short-handed University of Hawai'i men's basketball team battled hard before eventually falling to South Alabama, 72-69, in the title game of the Las Vegas Classic Friday at the Orleans Arena. The Rainbow Warriors fell to 3-2 on the season.
 
Despite once again playing without top scorers Bernardo da Silva and Noel Coleman, UH was in position to win for the second straight day and took the game down to the wire. However, JoVon McClanahan's potential game-tying three-pointer in the waning seconds fell off the mark.
 
UH shot 49 percent, shared the ball well (18 assists on 23 field goals) and out-rebounded the Jaguars, 33-24. But UH ultimately couldn't overcome a season-high 20 turnovers and a sub-par day at the free throw line (12-of-20).
 
Junior Madut led four Rainbow Warriors in double-figures with 18 points. Mate Colina recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while McClanahan and Amoro Lado each chipped in 12 points. Charles Manning Jr. led the Jaguars (5-2) with a game-high 25 points.
 
It was a close game throughout with UH holding the biggest lead of nine points midway through the first half. UH took a 35-33 advantage into the locker room on the strength of 11 points from Colina and trio of three-pointers from Lado off the bench.
 
South Alabama came out of the gates strong in the second half, scoring eight of first 10 points to take its first lead of the game. The game was tied, 52-52, midway through the half,  but the Jaguars went on a 13-6 run and led by seven with less than four minutes left.
 
UH wouldn't fold and after a Madut layup with 16 seconds left it was just a one-point game. The 'Bows put the Jaguars to the free throw line where Jay Chandler nailed both attempts to make it 72-69. That set up UH's last possession and McClanahan's unsuccessful attempt to send the game into overtime.
 
UH will remain on the mainland for one more road game as the 'Bows travel to Santa Clara for a matchup on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Tipoff is 6:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. HT.