'Bows work black magic against SIU

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

On its first Black-Out night, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team produced a white-knuckle victory.

Hawai'i's Matt Gipson follows through after scoring in the first half against Southern Illinois. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Seldom-used forward Vaidotas Peciukas scored on a driving layup through the middle of the SIU defense with 45 seconds remaining for what proved to be the winning points.

An energetic Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 5,539 — most of them dressed in black as well — watched the 'Bows improve to 3-0. SIU, which was on the verge of breaking into the Top 25 polls, dropped to 4-1.

"It was everything I hoped it would be," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "Everybody did their job."

Junior forward Julian Sensley led the way with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three assists while playing the entire 40 minutes.

"They played us hard and aggressive and we were able to play aggressive back," Sensley said. "I don't think they were used to that."

Peciukas, a 6-foot-7 senior, produced one of the most aggressive plays of the game on his clutch basket that put Hawai'i ahead 65-64. He was inserted into the game with 2:37 remaining only because fellow senior Jeff Blackett fouled out.

"Vaidotas Peciukas was my choice there at the end because he's been in games like that," Wallace said.

Peciukas also grabbed a crucial rebound in the closing seconds and hit one of two free throws with 4.4 seconds left for the final margin.

"(Peciukas) hasn't played much the last couple games, and he was able to come through," Sensley said. "If it wasn't for him, we'd be with a loss right now."

Peciukas

Sensley

"We thought we had the advantage with Sensley on Brooks in that situation," SIU head coach Chris Lowery said. "At home, Darren probably makes one of those layups."

Brooks, who finished with a game-high 23 points, said: "The first one was clean. I thought I made it."

Brooks aptly described the game as "a see-saw battle." Neither team ever led by more than seven points.

The Salukis came into the game with a reputation for defensive excellence, and they lived up to it. They produced 13 steals, caused 21 Hawai'i turnovers, and limited the 'Bows to a 43.6 field-goal percentage.

Hawai'i countered with its size, and it showed in a 37-28 advantage in rebounds.

UH started a lineup that ranged from 6 feet 5 to 7-0, while the Salukis had a starting lineup that ranged from 6 feet to 6-8.

The difference showed in the first half, when the 'Bows out-rebounded the Salukis 19-7, and took a 34-29 lead at intermission.

Sensley sparked the first-half surge with two highlight reel plays: assisting on a behind-the-head pass to Matthew Gipson for a dunk, and then reversing in a shot in mid-air off an alley-oop pass from Matt Gibson.

"I was looking to be a little more aggressive on offense," Sensley said.

Southern Illinois' LaMar Owen grabs a rebound away from teammate Stetson Hairston, left, and Hawai'i's Julian Sensley in the first half. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

His second 3-pointer put SIU ahead 64-63 with 1:05 remaining. Peciukas then made his go-ahead basket on the next possession.

Peciukas finished with six points and three rebounds. "Little Matt" Gibson scored 11 points in his first start of the season. Blackett contributed 10 points and six rebounds. "Big Matt" Gipson added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.

Hawai'i and SIU staged a similar game last season in Carbondale, Ill., but with the Salukis prevailing 66-62.

"They're kind of like our rival now, even though it's probably the last time we'll play them," Brooks said of the 'Bows.

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

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