The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is now on the outside looking at playing in.

San Jose State dealt the Rainbow Warriors a devastating 61-59 loss last night at Walt McPherson Court in San Jose, Calif.

The Spartans scored the game's final seven points, including two game-winning free throws by Adrian Oliver with 3.8 seconds remaining.

"It was a hard-fought game, and one that we probably should have won," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "But you have to give San Jose credit. They made the plays. We played hard, inspired basketball for 38 minutes and we just came up short."

Hawai'i dropped to 13-15 overall with its third consecutive loss. Worse, the 'Bows dropped into eighth place in the Western Athletic Conference at 5-10.

Hawai'i is now in position for the dreaded play-in game for the WAC Tournament.

The eighth- and ninth-place teams in the final standings have to meet in the play-in game. What's more, the winner of the play-in game will then face No. 1 seed Utah State in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament.

Hawai'i has one regular-season game remaining — and one chance to avoid the play-in game. If Louisiana Tech loses at Idaho on Thursday and the 'Bows can beat New Mexico State on Saturday, then Hawai'i can be the No. 7 seed.

"That's the way this game is," Nash said. "We just have to be up for the challenge."

A victory over San Jose State yesterday would have put the 'Bows in sixth place, and they certainly had their chances.

The game was close throughout, but the 'Bows took a 59-54 lead with 3:36 remaining on a 3-pointer by Hiram Thompson. That would be the last points Hawai'i would score.

Oliver tied the game at 59 on a fade-away jump shot with 16.7 seconds remaining.

On Hawai'i's ensuing possession, Bill Amis was fouled while going for a layup. He missed both free throws.

Adhar Mayen grabbed the offensive rebound after the second miss, but San Jose State's DaShawn Wright stole it from him.

Oliver then broke free for a layup attempt and was fouled by Hawai'i's Kareem Nitoto. After a brief discussion, the referees ruled that it was an intentional foul.

"They huddled up and decided it was going to be intentional," Nash said. "They didn't make the sign right away, it was after some thought. That's what is the disturbing thing ... if it's an intentional foul, make the call right away and it's done."

Nitoto stayed down on the court for several minutes after the play with an apparent back injury. Nash said that Nitoto was OK after the game.

Oliver went on to sink both free throws for the final margin.

The Spartans kept possession because of the intentional foul, and Oliver missed two free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining.

A half-court shot by Thompson came up short at the final horn.

"We made shots, we made plays, we beat them on the boards ... it just got down to where we needed to make some free throws down at the end and take care of the basketball and those things didn't happen down the stretch," Nash said.

Roderick Flemings led the 'Bows with 20 points. Thompson added 14, including four 3-pointers, and Amis contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots.

San Jose State improved to 13-14 overall and 6-8 in the WAC, including two victories over Hawai'i.

Oliver led the Spartans with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. C.J. Webster added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The 'Bows shot 42.9 percent from the field, while the Spartans went 47.3 percent. Neither team fared well on free throws, Hawai'i going 7-for-12, and San Jose State 6-of-11.

The 'Bows out-rebounded the Spartans, 35-34.