With their starting five playing extended minutes and the emergence of a new "sixth man," the Rainbow Warriors defended first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a defensive 64-58 victory over Boise State last night.

A crowd of 7,799 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows improve to 14-3 with their sixth consecutive victory. More important, Hawai'i moved into sole possession of first place in the WAC at 6-1.

All six of UH's consecutive wins have come against WAC teams, tying a school record.

"It was going back and forth, two teams hungry for the win," UH sophomore forward Julian Sensley said. "We were playing great (defense) on both sides and we got the better end of it."

Sensley's two free throws with 16.7 seconds remaining broke a 4-minute scoring drought by both teams and essentially secured the win for Hawai'i.

"They were taking away our back cuts and stuff, so each person individually had to execute," Sensley said. "When you get somebody playing you that tight, you have to create for yourself."

Michael Kuebler created the most for himself, finishing with a game-high 20 points. Three other 'Bows scored in double-figures: Phil Martin (13), Sensley (12) and Haim Shimonovich (12).

Shimonovich also contributed nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. He also played a season-high 36 minutes, including all 20 minutes of the second half.

"We have that size advantage inside and we used it tonight," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said.

They would need every inch.

The lead changed eight times during the game, and neither team led by more than six points.

The Broncos, who dropped to 11-6 overall and 3-4 in the WAC, stymied the 'Bows with only seven players. Boise State head coach Greg Graham suspended four players for last night's game, including senior starting guard Bryan Defares.

"We'll leave it as team disciplinary action; it's done and over with," Graham said. "It may or may not have cost us. We don't know because our other guys stepped up."

In particular, the Broncos turned in a scrappy defensive performance with a mix of man-to-man and zone defenses.

"They really stuck it on us," Wallace said. "They got us in non-attack mode."

Kuebler scored 10 points during a 16-5 Hawai'i run midway through the first half that turned a 17-11 deficit into a 27-22 lead. However, the 'Bows went scoreless over the final 5:15 of the first half and trailed, 30-27, at intermission.

Kuebler had 15 points in the first half, and no other 'Bow had more than four.

"I told Riley, (Kuebler) may be the best walk-on in the history of the WAC," Graham said of Kuebler's original decision to attend UH without a scholarship (which he eventually received).

The second half turned into a battle of attrition. Wallace opted to stick with his starting unit of Kuebler, Logan Lee, Sensley, Shimonovich and Martin for a majority of the time.

"Simply because we were behind or it was tied and I had my most experienced team (and) the best offensive group on the floor," Wallace explained.

Hawai'i took the lead for good on a spectacular reverse lay-up by Sensley as he got fouled on a fast break. He made the ensuing free throw to give the 'Bows a 52-49 lead with 7:05 remaining.

The 'Bows eventually took a 57-56 lead, and it stayed that way from the 4:16 mark until Sensley's two free throws with 16.7 seconds remaining.

With both teams gasping in the final minute, the 'Bows credited the largest home crowd of the season — "the sixth man" — for reviving them.

"Down the stretch ... it was deafening," Kuebler said. "My ears were ringing."

Wallace added: "I don't think we would have won without the crowd tonight."

Sensley's free throws put Hawai'i ahead 59-56. Lee and Kuebler then combined to make five of six free throws to clinch the win.

Both teams wound up shooting 23 of 54 from the field (42.6 percent). Hawai'i converted 15 of 18 free throws and grabbed 36 rebounds; Boise State was 5 of 9 from the free-throw line and collected 29 rebounds.

Jermaine Blackburn led the Broncos with 19 points, while Aaron Haynes added 13 and Franco Harris came off the bench to score a career-high 10.

Hawai'i will next travel to Houston to play another WAC game against Rice on Wednesday.