"It's a family affair, no question," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "You don't go 8-0 and not care for each other and pick each other up."

A crowd of 6,724 showed up at the Stan Sheriff Center for what is becoming the Rainbow Warriors' annual championship party.

Hawai'i improved to 8-0 — the best start by UH since the 1973-74 team started 11-0 — and won the Rainbow Classic title for the fourth consecutive year.

"We played hard, we fought hard together and won together," sophomore guard "Little Matt" Gibson said. "This team is something special and we're proving it night after night."

Gibson led a balanced UH attack with 16 points, including four free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win. Gibson scored 41 points in the three games of the tournament and was selected as the Most Valuable Player.

Hawai'i's Matt Gibson, who was named the Classic's MVP, drives against USC's Dwayne Shackleford. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Among the other Hawai'i standouts, sophomore guard Bobby Nash scored a career-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. His improbable winning shot from 25 feet in Wednesday's semifinals put Hawai'i in the championship game, and Nash joined Gibson on the all-tournament team.

"Nothing is self, it's always team first," Nash said. "I came out here and I knew my role and I knew what I had to do. I knocked down a few shots and got other people open."

"Big Matt" Gipson added 13 points and nine rebounds, helping Hawai'i to a 37-35 advantage on the boards.

Gipson's play was crucial because the rugged Trojans were intent on playing a powerful inside game close to the basket.

The USC duo of Gregg Guenther and Jeff McMillan combined for 32 points and 17 rebounds. Guenther, a 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward, shot 7 of 12 from the field; McMillan, a 6-8, 260-pound forward, shot 5 of 10, including three forceful dunks.

"I've never played against guys that strong before," said Gipson, who is 6-9 and 220 pounds. "I felt like a fly on an elephant's butt."

The game was close throughout, but the 'Bows adopted a refuse-to-lose attitude. USC got as close as one point several times in the second half, but Hawai'i never relinquished the lead.

"Our kids played their butts off," USC interim head coach Jim Saia said. "We just couldn't get a stop when we needed a stop. We just couldn't get over the hump."

The Rainbow reserves once again played a key role, combining for 34 points and 12 rebounds.

Hawai'i, which struggled with its shooting touch throughout the tournament, was 24 of 53 (45.3 percent) from the field last night, including just 3 of 12 (25 percent) from 3-point range.

"Whether we shoot the ball or not, we're in every game because we rebound ... and our defense is solid," Wallace said.

USC shot just 42.4 percent from the field, including just 18.8 percent from 3-point range. Perhaps more costly, the Trojans converted just 15 of 29 free throws (51.7 percent).

Gibson came off the bench to score nine points during a 14-4 Hawai'i surge that turned a 20-18 deficit into a 32-24 lead with 2:41 remaining in the first half. Included in that run were two free throws by Gibson after a technical foul was assessed on Saia for arguing calls by the officials.

"My first technical," Saia said. "I was in the wrong. It was a good T."

The 'Bows took a 36-28 lead at halftime, and increased it to as many as 11 early in the second half. But USC chipped away with its defense. The Trojans forced six turnovers during a four-minute stretch midway through the second half to cut the UH lead to 47-46 with 12:47 to play.

Sensley — Hawai'i's top player — struggled throughout the tournament, and finished with nine points and six rebounds last night.

"That's what makes this team unique," Wallace said. "Every night, somebody different steps up."

USC dropped to 6-4 and had to endure several days of speculation concerning its head coach.

Rick Majerus was hired as coach for next season, but he then resigned last week. This week, Tim Floyd's name has surfaced as a possible candidate to take over the position.

"There's been a lot of controversy and drama for this basketball team and we've responded pretty well," Saia said.