Sensley again shines in UH loss to Fresno

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

FRESNO, Calif. — Julian Sensley once again showed the Fresno State fans what they were missing.

Sensley

Sensley scored a team-high 23 points, including 15 in an exciting second half. In two career games against Fresno State in the Save Mart Center, Sensley has 47 points on 18-of-25 shooting, and 13 rebounds. Hawai'i, however, has lost both times.

"It seems like every time I come in this building, I do well but we lose," said Sensley, a 6-foot-9 junior forward.

Sensley attended Fresno State for one semester in 2002, and planned to play for the Bulldogs before transferring to a junior college. He signed with Hawai'i prior to the 2003-04 season.

Hawai'i's 8-0 start this season came to a halt last night, but through no fault of Sensley. He drained two 3-pointers in the closing minutes to keep the 'Bows in contention.

"I felt I had to step up," he said. "That's what this team looks for me to do and I was able to hit some shots down."

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said: "After about the first five minutes, Julian really got into the game and he carried us there for a while."

Sensley missed his first four shots of the game, but then went on to make nine of his next 11.

Sensley had the ball in his hands momentarily on UH's final possession of the game, but he could not find an opening and passed to teammate Jeff Blackett, who missed a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer.

UH guards struggled

Wallace said the subpar performances of his two shooting guards played a role in Hawai'i losing momentum in the second half.

Starter Bobby Nash scored three points on 1-of-7 shooting. Reserve "Little Matt" Gibson had 10 points and two 3-pointers, but "made a lot of mistakes," according to Wallace.

"Bobby wasn't hitting, so I had to get him out and try to get more offense in there," Wallace said. "But when Little Matt got in, the offense went down.

"Our offense was running better with Bobby in there, but he was also giving up too many 3's on the defensive end, so I had no choice."

Al-Sayyad rules post

Fresno State center Mustafa Al-Sayyad continued his domination of Hawai'i in the low post.

The 6-9 senior finished with 15 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. In his last three games against Hawai'i, he has 52 points and 31 rebounds, and the Bulldogs have won all three games.

Rebound in Nevada?

Hawai'i will depart Fresno today aboard a bus for Reno, Nev. The 'Bows will continue their WAC-opening road trip with a game at Nevada on Saturday.

"Any first loss is hard after such a great start," UH senior forward Jeff Blackett said. "But this team has a lot of heart. We'll bounce back."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.