Hawai'i rallies past Butler, 81-78

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

In one of the greatest comebacks in University of Hawai'i basketball history, the Rainbow Warriors outscored Butler 15-12 in overtime to win 81-78 in the championship game of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic tonight at Stan Sheriff Center.

Hawai'i (7-1) won its second consecutive Classic championship.

Butler (10-1) lost its first game of the season.

Michael Kuebler scored 29 points to lead UH.

Hawai'i led 77-73 in overtime, but Avery Sheets hit a 3-pointer to close the lead to one with 28 seconds to go.

Hawai'i brought the ball down court on the ensuing possession and Kuebler was fouled.

Kuebler hit two free throws for a 79-76 lead with 18 seconds left.

Brandon Miller hit a layup with 8 seconds left to close to 79-78.

Kuebler was fouled again with 6 seconds left and hit two shots for an 81-78 lead.

Jason Carter then stripped Miller of the ball on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.

The game was tied at 66 at the end of regulation.

The Rainbow Warriors trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half, before the Bulldogs took a 37-26 halftime lead.