The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team will be home for the holidays.

With two subpar road trips already behind them, the Rainbow Warriors are looking forward to a six-game home stand this month.

"That gives us extra practice time to work on some of the things that have plagued us on the road," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "I thought we stayed together as a team on the road; we just didn't execute the way we're supposed to."

The 'Bows are 2-4 after an 81-67 loss at San Diego on Sunday. It was Hawai'i's second road trip of the early season, and both ended in double-digit losses.

"When other teams turn up the defensive energy on us, we have to turn up our offensive energy," Nash said. "We haven't been doing a good job of that on the road."

Hawai'i will start a stretch of six home games in 22 days against Long Beach State at the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday.

"We're definitely better at home," senior center Stephen Verwers said. "We're more comfortable here. The routine is the same, and we get to sleep in our own beds."

The proof is in the statistics. In four home games this season, the 'Bows are averaging 78.0 points per game while allowing 66.3.

In its two road losses, Hawai'i is averaging 63.5 points per game while allowing 85.0.

"I didn't realize how hard it would be to travel and play on the road," sophomore forward Bill Amis said. "For all us underclassmen, it was a good learning experience, even though we lost both times on the road. I think it's only going to help us in conference."

Long Beach State is 2-5 after a 77-52 home victory over Loyola Marymount yesterday.

"Right now, we're not so much concerned about Long Beach or any other team as we are about us," Nash said. "We need to work on our stuff, and get better at what we run first."

Sunday's game is a return from last season, when Hawai'i beat the 49ers, 93-78, at Long Beach, Calif.

'BOWS ALSO PREPARING FOR ACADEMIC FINALS

This is the final week of classes for the fall semester on the UH campus. Final examinations are scheduled for next week.

The 'Bows will spend the rest of this week studying for Long Beach State on the basketball court, and for final exams in the classroom.

"To be honest, I'll probably be thinking more about the game than my finals," Amis said. "Hopefully we can take care of both — win the game and do well in all my classes."

Amis will be in a tough situation Sunday. The game against Long Beach State will end around 7:30 p.m., and he has four final exams scheduled Monday.

"It might be a late night for me," he said.

Verwers also has a lot at stake. He is scheduled to graduate next week — assuming he passes all his classes this semester.

"It's tough taking care of both things," he said. "You just have to manage your time."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.