Another game, another last-second loss.

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team lost its second consecutive heartbreaker of the season, this one in the form of a 79-77 loss to Illinois.

Calvin Brock's driving layup with five seconds remaining was the winning basket for the Fighting Illini.

There appeared to be confusion on Hawai'i's final possession, and freshman Kareem Nitoto threw an errant pass that was stolen by Illinois as time expired.

"Same old story," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "One or two plays at the end of the game is costing us."

A "White-Out" crowd of 3,183 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow Warriors drop to 0-2 under first-year head coach Nash.

Illinois improved to 2-0.

There were more than 3,000 no-shows, undoubtedly due to the conflicting UH football game at Nevada that was televised on ESPN2.

The fans who were there left in stunned silence amid the confusing ending.

Nash said he tried to call a timeout after Brock's basket, and several of the Rainbow Warriors saw him signal it.

Bobby Nash said he was already walking toward the Hawai'i bench because he thought the timeout was called.

"I'm not putting it on (the officials)," Bob Nash said. "Maybe I have to be more demonstrative in my efforts to get a timeout."

Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said: "I don't know if they were waiting for a timeout or what, but their kid (Nitoto) dribbled and the clock didn't start. Then he throws the pass and our kids thought the game was over and probably traveled ... it was such a craziness at the end."

There was also some craziness during the game.

The Rainbow Warriors blew a 13-point lead in the second half, rallied from a seven-point deficit in the closing minutes, and got a career performance from Bobby Nash.

"The main thing is we came up short," Bobby Nash said. "It's not about me."

But Nash scored a career-high 30 points, and kept the 'Bows close late in the game. The 6-foot-7 senior shot 10 of 20 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 7-of-7 on free throws.

"That was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time," Weber said. "Chester (Frazier) is a pretty good defender and Brian Randle is a pretty good defender. They've guarded a lot of good people, but they couldn't guard him today."

Riley Luettgerodt added 16 points and Jared Dillinger scored 12 for Hawai'i.

The 'Bows trailed 74-67 with 4:21 remaining, but Nash scored eight consecutive points — including back-to-back 3-pointers — to put Hawai'i ahead by one with 2:55 left.

Illinois eventually tied it at 77 on a hook shot by Shaun Pruitt with 1:26 remaining.

On Illinois' final possession, Brock had the ball in the corner, and drove the baseline for an uncontested layup that proved to be the game-winner.

"We had them several times," Luettgerodt said. "We had so many chances, it hurts. It hurts even more because it's Illinois. We're going to watch them in the NCAA Tournament, probably."

The 'Bows led by as many as 10 in the first half, with Nash and Dillinger scoring 11 points each before intermission.

Illinois got as close as 39-36, but Dillinger's 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the first half gave Hawai'i a 42-36 advantage at intermission.

It was an impressive display by the 'Bows, especially when considering the Illini's reputation for defense.

The Illini ranked No. 4 in the nation last season in scoring defense, and never allowed an opponent to score more than 40 points in the first half all season.

The 77 points scored by Hawai'i was the most surrendered by Illinois in 28 games.

"We feel like we can score on anybody," Bob Nash said. "But defensively, we have to stop people from scoring on us."

The 'Bows increased their lead to 62-49 with 12:49 remaining, but the Illini responded with a stunning 18-2 run to seize control.

Frazier's 3-pointer with 6:46 remaining put Illinois ahead for the first time in the game at 65-64.

Interestingly, Illinois overtook Hawai'i moments after the Sheriff Center crowd erupted in jubilation when the closing seconds of the UH football team's victory was played on the jumbo screens.

"I was watching it," Luettgerodt said. "I knew they weren't cheering for us because we were shooting free throws."

Five players for Illinois scored in double-figures, led by Frazier's 19. He also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, leading the Illini to a 42-28 advantage on the boards.

Brock, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench, grabbed a key offensive rebound in the closing seconds that allowed Illinois to maintain possession — and set up his winning basket.

Hawai'i played its second consecutive game without starting senior point guard Matt Gibson, who is still recovering from an injured left knee.

The 'Bows will not have much time to recover. They are scheduled to host Alcorn State tomorrow at the Sheriff Center at 8:05 p.m.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.