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McClanahan vs UCR
54
Winner UC Riverside UCR 20-10,13-5 Big West
52
Hawaii Hawaii 20-9,11-6 Big West
Winner
UC Riverside UCR
20-10,13-5 Big West
54
Final
52
Hawaii Hawaii
20-9,11-6 Big West
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UC Riverside UCR 14 40 54
Hawaii Hawaii 25 27 52

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Drops Close Call To UC Riverside

HONOLULU  - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team fell victim to a second-half rally by UC Riverside in a crucial 54-52 loss Thursday night at the Simplifi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. It was a missed opportunity for the Rainbow Warriors (20-9, 11-6) who had a chance to move into second in the Big West standings with a win but instead slipped to fourth in the standings. 

In a tale of two halves, UC Riverside (20-10, 13-5) had the last say. Zyon Pullin scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to help the Highlanders rally from a double-digit deficit and move a half game out of first in the Big West.  

UH had a pair of chances to tie or win the game on its final possession. JoVon McClanahan's driving layup with less than three seconds left was blocked out of bounds and Kamaka Hepa was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play. However Hepa missed the front end of the one-and-one with 1.5 seconds left to seal UH's fate.  

Bernardo da Silva led UH with 15 points, while Hepa finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, Noel Coleman chipped in 10 points and two blocked shots, including a key block of Pullin late in the game to set up UH's final possession. 

Both teams started off cold, but it was UH who put the clamps down late in the half to create distance. UCR held a 12-11 edge with a little over seven minutes left when UH went on 14-2 run fueled by their tenacious defense. The 'Bows held the Highlanders scoreless for the final 5:28 of the half and took a 25-14 lead into the locker room. UH held UCR to just 19 percent (6-of-31) shooting in the first 20 minutes.

UH continued to lead 38-28 with 11 minutes left.  But the 'Bows went on  a five-minute scoreless spell while UCR caught fire with 12 unanswered points. Pullin's three-pointer with 6:50 remaining capped the run to give UCR their first lead since the first half.  

Hepa answered with a three-pointer of his own on the very next possession, but UCR came back with a Flynn Cameron three-pointer to re-take the lead. UH stayed within striking distance, but UCR would never trail again and hold off UH's last efforts to force overtime. 

The Highlanders shot 52 percent after the break to pull off the comeback. After missing all 10 of its three-point attempts in the first half, UCR drained 3-of-7 in the second half in timely fashion. The Highlanders also turned the ball over just five times for the game. 

UH will now host its final home game of the season on Saturday when it takes on first-place UC Irvine at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The nationally-televised game will tip at 5:00 p.m. and following the game  Samuta Avea, Kamaka Hepa and Juan Munoz will be honored as part of Senior Night festivities. All fans are encourage to wear white to the game. 
 
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