HONOLULU –  For the second straight evening the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team defeated Long Beach State in thrilling fashion, this time with a 79-76 win Saturday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 10-8 overall and 8-8 in the Big West with its weekend sweep of the Beach.
 
Just like Friday's two-point win over LBSU (5-9, 4-6 Big West), the 'Bows rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half and saw a last-gasp effort by Long Beach State once again fall off the mark. Senior James Jean-Marie notched his second double-double of the season with a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds. Three other Rainbow Warrors scored in double figures including Justin Webster (14), Junior Madut (13) and Casdon Jardine (10).
 
UH started the game strong and held a seven-point lead past the midway point of the first half. But the Beach exploded for a 19-1 run, including a string of 12 unanswered points to take a double-digit lead. UH trailed 38-31 at the half after shooting just 32 percent in the first frame, including 2-of-10 on three-pointers.
 
UH trailed by 10 points a few minutes into the second half, but then they started to catch fire. During one incredible stretch, UH buried 11 straight fields goals to turn its double-digit deficit into a double-digit lead of its own.
 
UH actually led 75-60 with just over six minutes to play, but had to hold off a furious rally by the Beach in the final minutes. With its pressure defense and equally aggressive offense, LBSU went on a 16-2 run and creeped within one point, 77-76, with 1:46 left.
 
A pair of free throws by JoVon McClanahan made it a three-point game on the very next possession and it would remain that way all the way to the closing second when missed free throws and turnovers opened the door for LBSU to tie the score on the final possession of the game. But Michael Carter III's three-pointer at the buzzer went in-and-out as the 'Bows squeezed out another tight win over the Beach.

UH shot 51 percent in the second half and drained seven three-pointers after half to win the game. They also won the battle of the boards, 43-32.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will conclude the regular-season on the road for a pair of games at UC Davis on March 5 and 6. Tipoff is 4:00 p.m. PT/2:00 p.m. HT on both days.