Updated at 8:24 p.m., Thursday, November 23, 2006
UH tops Hofstra, 80-79, in Great Alaska Shootout
Advertiser Staff
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Hawaii made just one field goal over nearly seven minutes late in the second half but used free throws to fend off Hofstra 80-79 Thursday in the first round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.The Rainbow Warriors (3-1) took a 61-54 lead on Matt Gibson's 3-pointer with 8:05 remaining and were limited to 10 free throws until P.J Owsley scored under the basket on a feed from Matt Lojeski with 1:22 remaining.
Hofstra (0-3) trailed nearly the entire second half but finally caught up with its pressure defense.
Two consecutive steals and a basket by Loren Stokes knotted the score 71-71 with two minutes remaining, the first tie since late in the first half.
Riley Luettgerodt followed Owsley's score with another basket and Hawaii made five more free throws in the last 42 seconds to hold off Hofstra. Stokes hit long 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
Hawaii shot 26 for 31 from the free throw line. The Pride, meanwhile, shot just 11 for 20 from the free throw line, including 5-for-10 by Stokes.
Lojeski had 17 points and seven rebounds for Hawaii. Bobby Nash also had 17 points, including 11 in the first half.
Stokes led Hofstra with 29 points.
