Rainbow Warriors win in OT, advance to WAC semifinals

Advertiser Staff

TULSA, Okla. — Carl English hit two free throws with 5 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Hawai'i to a 62-61 victory over Rice in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament today.

Hawai'i (18-10), the defending tournament champion, plays the winner of the tonight's quarterfinal game between Tulsa and Texas-El Paso in tomorrow's semifinals. UH's semi-final game will be broadcast live at 4:30 p.m. on K5.

Rice is 19-10.

English's free throws gave UH a 62-60 lead.

Rice brought the ball down court and called a timeout with 2.8 seconds to go. The Owls then inbounded the ball to Omar-Seli Mance, who was fouled by Mark Campbell.

Mance missed the first free throw, but made the second, giving the Rainbow Warriors the ball with 1.8 seconds to go.

Campbell then threw a half-court inbound pass and UH ran down the clock.

Phil Martin scored 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Hawai'i. English finished with 15.

Mance led Rice with 22 points.

The game was tied at 53 at the end of regulation.