HONOLULU  – A depleted University of Hawai'i men's basketball team gave one of its grittiest efforts of the season with a 63-54 win over Cal Poly  Thursday night at Simplifi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. With the win UH improved to 14-9 overall and 8-4 in the Big West.
 
Down a pair of starters in Noel Coleman and Kamaka Hepa, UH used a collective team effort to get past the Mustangs (5-20, 1-12) and move into a tie for third in the Big West standings. UH scored the final nine points of the game to pull out the win while getting four clutch three-pointers down the stretch – each from a different player.
 
Jerome Desrosiers led the way with 14 points, highlighted by the go-ahead three-pointer with just over a minute remaining. JoVon McClanahan finished with 13 points and five assists and Junior Madut added 11. The 'Bows also got a huge boost from Beon Riley who contributed a career-high 10 points and six rebounds while providing 28 energetic minutes off the bench.
 
The first half was a disjointed affair. UH got off to a great start, hitting seven of its first eight shots and taking a double-digit lead early. But the Mustangs answered with a 14-2 run of their own, before UH took a 28-27 edge at the break.
 
The second half continued to be a roller coaster. Cal Poly took its biggest lead of the game 46-41, with eight minutes left. UH responded, however, with a 13-3 run, powered by timely three-pointers by Riley and Madut as UH staked a five-point lead. Cal Poly tied it 54-54 before UH went on its final decisive run.
 
UH started the game just 4-of-17 on three-pointers but drilled their final four when they need it the most. Back-to-back three-pointers by Desrosiers and McClanahan put UH up for good in the final minute. The 'Bows held the Mustangs to just three points in the final three minutes and forced 18 Cal Poly turnovers on the evening.  
 
The 'Bows will will play its final home game of the season on Saturday when it takes on CSU Bakersfield at 7:00 p.m.  All fans are encouraged to wear aloha attire as Desrosiers, Madut and Mate Colina, will be honored following the game as part of Senior Night festivities.