LAS CRUCES, N.M. — In a game that typified its season, the University of Hawaii men's basketball team battled from start to finish, but ultimately came up short in an 80-74 loss to Boise State today.

It was a quarterfinal game of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament at the Pan American Center.

The Rainbow Warriors completed their season with an 11-19 record, including seven consecutive losses.

"I'm real pleased with the way my guys fought," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "They never gave up all year for me. Unfortunately, seasons come to an end and ours has come to an end."

The Broncos improved to 23-8, and advanced to tomorrow's semifinals.

Hawaii led by as many as nine in the first half, but Boise State shot 78.9 percent (15 for 19) from the field in the second half to rally to victory.

"We challenged the guys at halftime, challenged ourselves," Boise State head coach Greg Graham said. "And guys stepped up in the second half and did a good job."

Riley Luettgerodt and Matt Gibson each scored 17 points to lead the 'Bows, and Jared Dillinger added 14.

Boise State opened the game with an 8-4 lead, but Hawaii responded with a 15-5 run to take a 19-13 advantage with 8:02 remaining. Luettgerodt sparked the surge with seven points.

The 'Bows increased the lead to as many as nine before taking a 35-27 advantage into halftime.

"I thought our guys followed the game plan — we forced turnovers, we were in position to pick up loose balls, everything we needed to do," Nash said. "Unfortunately, they play two halves and second half we gave them too many opportunities without pressure."

Boise State committed 15 turnovers in the first half, and that led directly to 16 Hawaii points. The 27 points also tied Boise State's lowest total in a first half this season.

The Broncos opened the second half with a 12-2 run to take a 39-37 lead.

Hawaii regained a brief 40-39 lead on a 3-pointer by Dillinger, but Boise State responded with back-to-back 3s from Reggie Larry and Tyler Tiedeman to take a 45-40 advantage with 13:39 remaining.

The score was tied several times after that, the last one at 60-all with 5:51 remaining.

The Broncos took the lead for good on a low-post shot from Larry with 4:32 remaining. Boise State went 16 for 18 on free throws in the final four minutes to secure the win.

Larry led the Broncos with 26 points, and Tiedeman added 14.

"I don't know if there's any team in the country that has had as many adverse situations as we had with travel, injuries and being undersized," said Nash, who completed his first season as head coach. "But these guys never quit on me all year long and that's what I'm going to take away from this group."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.