UH topples Fresno State in WAC opener, 83-73

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

For opening statements, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team shouted loud and clear to the rest of the Western Athletic Conference last night.

Hawai'i's Carl English shoots over Fresno State's Mustafa Al-Sayyad and Travis DeManby during the second half of last night's Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams at the Stan Sheriff Center. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The largest crowd of the season (8,238) at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows improve to 10-2, their best start since the Anthony Carter-led team of 1997-98. Fresno State, the preseason pick to win the WAC, dropped to 8-5. It was the conference opener for both teams.

"They can't take this one away from us; we got it in the bag," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "And it was a very big win."

It was UH's third victory over Fresno State in four games, dating to last season. The 'Bows, who have won four consecutive games, were predicted to finish second in the WAC.

Predrag Savovic and Carl English combined for 45 points overall, including 32 in the decisive second half to lead Hawai'i.

"I came out hitting and he came out hitting," English said. "The two of us were just ready to play."

Savovic scored a game-high 23, including 19 in the second half. English drained five 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, including 13 in the second half.

"When (English) has that energy going and Savo's got it, too, it's going to be tough to beat us," Wallace said.

Fresno State head coach Jerry Tarkanian said: "Savovic in the second half was sensational. English was great the whole ball game."

English scored nine in the first half after hitting his first three 3-point shots. After a see-saw first half that featured seven lead changes and six ties, UH emerged with a 37-34 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs surprised Hawai'i by playing a man-to-man defense the entire game. The notorious "Amoeba" zone that was primarily responsible for holding opponents to a .382 field goal percentage never made an appearance.

Hawai'i's Predrag Savovic puts up a one-handed jumper over Fresno State's Travis DeManby in the first half. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

As proof, the 'Bows hit 46 percent of their field goals (29-of-63), including a season-high nine 3-pointers in 21 attempts.

English, a 6-foot-5 sophomore forward, led the attack by hitting eight of his 12 field goals, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. When he wasn't hitting from long-range, he was making daring drives to the basket.

"You don't know Carl English," Wallace said. "You can have Wilt Chamberlain come back to life and stand in that middle and Carl will try to drive on him."

He also contributed six rebounds and five assists.

Savovic was equally effective in the second half, when he converted five of 10 shots after a 2-of-7 showing in the first half.

"I was just trying to find my shots and wait my turn," said Savovic, a 6-6 senior guard.

The 'Bows never relinquished the lead in the second half. English and Savovic combined for all the points during an 8-2 run to open the second half that pushed Hawai'i's lead to 45-36.

After Fresno State closed to 63-60 with 7:20 remaining, Savovic responded with a 3-pointer to ignite a 10-3 surge that put Hawai'i back in control.

"I never give up, even if I'm not hitting my shots early," Savovic said. "I know eventually I will start hitting."

The clinching sequence came moments later when Fresno State's Chris Jefferies had a dunk attempt blocked by UH center Haim Shimonovich. Jefferies was assessed a technical foul for arguing that he was fouled.

Savovic hit both of the penalty free throws, and then English scored on a driving layup on the ensuing possession to give Hawai'i a controlling 79-66 lead with 4:02 remaining. The Bulldogs never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Savovic admitted "talking" to Jefferies throughout the game, sometimes in his native Yugoslavian language.

"He's one of the best there is in the nation," Savovic said. "I was just fired up to play him."

Jefferies was still spectacular in defeat, finishing with team-highs of 21 points — including two highlight-reel dunks — and nine rebounds.

Another of the best players in the nation, Melvin Ely, did not play for Fresno State last night. Ely, last season's WAC Player of the Year, was sitting out his sixth — and last — game of an NCAA suspension for allegedly receiving improper benefits.

An appeal by Fresno State officials to get Ely eligible for last night's game was rejected by the NCAA yesterday afternoon.

"I'm pretty sure it had an effect on everybody," Tarkanian said. "(But) you can't throw it out because it's a loss and it counts."

Hiram Fuller, starting in place of Ely, finished with 11 points and five rebounds, but played only 20 minutes before fouling out with 4:54 left in the game.

Shimonovich finished with eight points and four rebounds before fouling out himself with 2:06 left in the game.

UH sophomore forward Phil Martin scored all 10 of his points in the first half, despite vomiting because of a nervous stomach moments before tip-off.

"I tried to do what I could in the first half," he said. "But it started wearing on me in the second half."

Senior forward Mindaugas Burneika contributed 12 points off the bench.

"Everybody played the role they were supposed to," Martin said. "It was the kind of game we needed against a team of that caliber."

The 'Bows will continue the WAC season by playing host to Nevada tomorrow at 7 p.m. The Wolf Pack won their opener at San Jose State last night, 91-85, in overtime.