UH beats Santa Clara, faces Chaminade tomorrow

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The EA Sports Maui Invitational will feature a Hawaiian special tomorrow.

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team did its part, beating Santa Clara, 56-43, in the feature game of the Maui Invitational tonight at the Lahaina Civic Center.

The Rainbow Warriors, who are participating in the Maui Invitational for the first time, will face Honolulu neighbor Chaminade in a semifinal game tomorrow at 5 p.m. Chaminade upset Villanova in the opening game of the tournament today.

"We have to prepare for them like any other team and not get over-emotional," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "Our guys will not take them lightly, I can tell you that."

Chaminade head coach Aaron Griess said: "It's a really bad match-up for us because they're so much bigger than we are. We're going to have to figure something out real quick."

Michael Kuebler scored 13 of his game-high 15 points in the second half, and Haim Shimonovich came off the bench to record nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists to lead the 'Bows, who improved to 1-1.

"I just came in and tried to get every rebound, loose ball that I could," said Shimonovich, a 6-foot-10 senior. "Try to help as much as possible; do what ever to win the game."

Julian Sensley added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Logan Lee contributed six points and five assists off the bench.

The 'Bows finished fast, but started on Hawaiian time, falling behind 12-0 in the game's first four minutes. UH's first seven possessions resulted in 0-for-4 shooting and three turnovers.