HENDERSON, Nev.  – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team's quest for a conference tournament title came to a close with a 58-46 semifinal loss to Cal State Fullerton in the Hercules Tires Big West Championships Friday night at The Dollar Loan Center.
 
In a defensive slugfest,  UH (17-11) got off to slow start and could never  get into sync against the Titans who led from wire-to-wire. Cal State Fullerton (20-10) avenged its 17-point loss to UH earlier this season and advanced to the tournament finals where they will meet top-seed Long Beach State on Saturday.
 
The 'Bows shot just 28 percent for the game en route to a season-low 46 points  Despite that, UH stayed within striking distance for much of the game with some tough defense of their own, holding the Titans to just 39 percent shooting. It was not until a 16-8 game-ending run by CSUF in the final four minutes was UH's fate sealed.
 
Mate Colina led the 'Bows with 12 points and seven rebounds, JoVon McClanahan had nine points, while Junior Madut chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds. All-Big West forward E.J. Anosike, who was held to just four points in the first meeting between the teams, posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Damari Milstead scored a game-high 18 points.
 
UH shot just 28  percent in the first half, including  3-of-14 on threes, while CSUF scored 12 points off eight UH turnovers. Despite the tough start, UH trailed just 28-21 at the break.
 
CSUF took a 10 point lead – its largest of the game to that point – with a three-pointer on the opening possession of the second half. The 'Bows however continued to stay close and cut that deficit to just four, 42-38, on a Madut three-pointer with 4:37 left. But the Titans scored seven of the game's next eight points to take an insurmountable double-digit lead with under three minutes left.