'Bows bounce Alcorn State

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's Luc-Arthur Vebobe made his season debut last night after sitting out a six-game NCAA suspension. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"That's the ugly game of the year," he said after the Rainbow Warriors' 62-48 victory over Alcorn State. "Let's hope it's the first and last."

Regardless of how it happened the 'Bows won for the sixth time in seven games, their best start since the 1997-98 season, when they began 11-1. A crowd of 3,423 watched Hawai'i win its 11th consecutive game in the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I'm a very, very happy coach," Wallace said. "Happy that we got out of this one with a win as ugly as we played."

Four players scored in double figures, led by Carl English's 17, but each of the seven 'Bows who saw action committed at least two turnovers.

In an indication of the game's odd flow, UH set season-highs in field-goal percentage (.641 on 25-of-39 shooting) and turnovers (23).

"The way we threw the ball around, it looked like we wanted to play intramural street ball," Wallace said.

If so, Alcorn State was a willing participant.

The Braves shot just 33 percent from the field, including 0-for-15 from 3-point range.

"I think the difference was our inability to take advantage of the 23 turnovers," Alcorn State head coach Davey L. Whitney said. "We had a dismal performance scoring off the turnovers."

The Braves scored 18 points off the 23 UH turnovers.

When the 'Bows were able to run their offense, they did so successfully — 20 of UH's 25 field goals came off assists, with Mark Campbell and Mindaugas Burneika handing out five each.

English's 17 points came on 6-of-10 shooting, and it was the sixth time he led UH in scoring this season. Phil Martin contributed 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and Haim Shimonovich added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Junior forward Luc-Arthur Vebobe, making his UH debut after a six-game NCAA suspension, came off the bench to score 10 points and grab five rebounds. Two of his baskets came on powerful dunks over Alcorn State defenders.

"It feels good to play," Vebobe said. "I was just waiting for that. I just need more experience to work some things out."

Despite its miscues, Hawai'i never trailed.

Martin scored 10 of UH's first 14 points, as the 'Bows raced to a 14-7 lead. He had 12 points at halftime, when Hawai'i held a 29-23 lead.

The Braves got as close as 31-29 early in the second half, but the 'Bows responded with a 13-0 run to seize control. Alcorn State never got closer than nine points in the final 12 minutes.

Hawai'i shot 68 percent in the second half (13-of-19), but never got the lead above 15 because of 12 second-half turnovers.

"The mental breakdowns were absolutely embarrassing," Wallace said.

What's more, UH was 0-of-4 from 3-point range, ending a streak of 31 consecutive games with at least one 3.

Alcorn State employed a full-court defense the entire game, but Martin said: "I wouldn't say it was their defense causing the turnovers. I guess it was the mindset we were all in. I think we just got kind of excited when things were going well."

Even with the addition of Vebobe, only seven players saw action for UH, which was playing for the first time since Nov. 27.

Senior guard Mike McIntyre, averaging 11.5 points per game, sat out with a bruised thigh. Freshman forward Milos Zivanovic was diagnosed with an enlarged spleen and will be out at least one month.

The 'Bows will play another home game Friday against San Diego State.