Posted on: Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Hawai'i wins opener
| • | Unbeaten Oral Roberts rolls past Georgetown |
| • | Ferd Lewis: 'Bows need to get back in groove |
| • | Game statistics |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
It didn't take long for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team to test the heart of its head coach, Riley Wallace.
Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser A crowd of 5,751 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows remain undefeated at 6-0. It is the best start by Hawai'i since the 1972-73 team started 7-0.
"This team can cause a good heart to have cardiac arrest," said Wallace, who underwent an angioplasty last Wednesday to improve blood flow to his heart.
The 'Bows shot a season-low 28.1 percent from the field, including a dismal 11.8 percent from 3-point range (2 of 17). Hawai'i also passed for a season-low eight assists and shot 57.1 percent on free throws.
"It was an ugly one, but it was a win," senior forward Jeff Blackett said.
Blackett recorded a statistical double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. "Little Matt" Gibson led the 'Bows with 15 points, including four key free throws in the final minute.
Fortunately for Hawai'i, Long Beach State was in a similar situation. The 49ers shot just 30.5 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range.
"Thank goodness for defense," Wallace said. "When you shoot the ball as poorly as we did and still win ... that's something coaches preach all day — you can have bad days offensively, but not defensively."
Long Beach State head coach Larry Reynolds said height proved to be a key advantage for Hawai'i.
"Their height definitely bothered us because you can't mimic that in practice," Reynolds said. "I think they did a great job defensively, but we were rushing and trying to make a great play instead of trying to make a simple play."
It was ugly from the start, as the 'Bows shot just 24.3 percent from the field in the first half, and the 49ers were at 23.3 percent. Perhaps more costly for Long Beach State was its 14 turnovers in the first half.
Hawai'i led 26-16 at halftime, and increased it to 34-16 early in the second half. But the 'Bows went without a field goal for the next nine minutes, allowing the 49ers to go on a 15-1 surge and cut the lead to 35-31.
"I know I forgot how to make a layup," said Blackett, who shot 6 of 16 from the field. "But they play good defense. You have to hand it to them."
Long Beach State got as close as 38-36 on a 3-pointer by Kevin Houston with 7:17 remaining, but Hawai'i responded with a 10-3 run to push the lead back to 48-39. The 49ers never got closer than five in the final four minutes. Long Beach State (1-6) was led by Shawn Hawkins' 10 points.
Hawai'i's victory sets up a showdown of undefeated teams in tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. semifinal. The 'Bows will take on 8-0 Oral Roberts. They are two of 14 remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division I.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
Despite playing its worst game of the season, the Rainbow Warriors defeated Long Beach State, 54-45, on the opening night of the 41st annual Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.
Hawai'i's Deonte Tatum goes up for a basket against Long Beach State's Onye Ibekwe. UH won, 54-45.
"Anytime somebody's having an off night, we'll throw some other guys in there and see if they're hot," Gibson said. "Tonight, nobody was."
RAINBOW CLASSIC
WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center.
TICKETS: Evening sessions—$20 for lower level and $15 for upper level. Day sessions—$5 for all seats. Parking is $3.
TV/RADIO: KFVE (Ch. 5) will televise all 5 and 7:30 p.m. games; KKEA (1420 AM) will broadcast all Hawai'i games.
Chris Botez, UH's 7-foot center, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots. Hawai'i's forwards — 6-8 Blackett and 6-9 Julian Sensley — added a combined 17 rebounds to lead the 'Bows to a 48-39 advantage on the boards.
Hawai'i's Julian Sensley goes up for a basket against Long Beach State in the first half. Hawai'i won, 54-45, to improve to 6-0.
