A crowd of 3,746 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow Warriors rally from a seven-point deficit in the second half to improve to 12-9 overall and 3-5 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Utah State dropped to 15-7 and 4-4.

Gibson, who did not start for the first time all season due to disciplinary reasons, scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half to lead Hawai'i.

Bobby Nash added 15 points, and Matt Lojeski 11 for the 'Bows. P.J. Owsley contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half. Hawai'i shot 38.5 percent from the field, while Utah State shot 36.4 percent.

The Aggies jumped to a 13-8 lead to open the game, but the 'Bows responded with a 15-5 run to take a 23-18 lead with 5:49 remaining in the first half.

Utah State closed the half with a 7-2 run to tied the score at 25 at intermission.

Jaycee Carroll, the WAC's leading scorer prior to last night, was held to four points in the first half. He finished with 13 — eight below his average — before fouling out in the closing seconds.

A 9-2 run by Utah State gave the Aggies a 45-38 with 10:19 remaining in the second half. But Hawai'i responded, sparked by the play of Gibson.

He scored 11 points during a 13-2 run to give the 'Bows a 51-47 lead with 6:08 remaining. Hawai'i increased the lead to 58-50 with 4:03 remaining, and Utah State never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

The 'Bows are scheduled to depart Honolulu early Tuesday morning for a two-game road trip. They will play at Fresno State on Thursday, and at Nevada on Saturday.