San Jose State's second-half rally too much for Rainbow Warriors
Advertiser Staff
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team brought its road woes home.
The Rainbow Warriors struggled offensively in a 73-61 loss to San Jose State tonight.
A crowd of 4,319 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Hawai'i drop to 9-8 overall and 1-4 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Spartans improved to 8-8 and 2-3.
It was Hawai'išs third consecutive loss. The 'Bows have averaged 52.1 points per game in the three losses. They lost two on the road last week.
Roderick Flemings scored 18 points to lead the 'Bows. Bill Amis and Lasha Parghalava added 14 each.
The 'Bows raced to a 12-3 lead to open the game, and stayed in front the entire first half.
San Jose State cut the Hawai'i lead to 22-21 with 3:01 remaining, but the 'Bows eventually took a 29-25 advantage at halftime.
The game stayed close until the Spartans took control with a stunning 19-3 run midway through the second half. Hawai'i was called for five fouls and a technical foul on head coach Bob Nash during the San Jose State surge. The Spartans responded by draining 9 of 10 shots from the free-throw line.
At the start of the run, Hawai'i led 39-34. By the end of it, San Jose State had a 53-42 lead with 7:58 remaining.
The 'Bows never got closer than six points the rest of the way.
Justin Graham led San Jose State with 19 points.
The Spartans played without leading scorer Adrian Oliver for the third consecutive game. Oliver, who is averaging 16.7 points per game, was not in uniform due to a knee injury.
Hawai'i's next game is scheduled for Thursday on the road at Nevada.
