The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team dropped to eighth place in the Western Athletic Conference after dropping a crucial road game at San Jose State tonight.

Adrian Oliver made two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining to lead the Spartans to a 61-59 victory over the Rainbow Warriors.

The Spartans outscored the Rainbow Warriors 7-0 in the game's final 3 minutes, 36 seconds.

Hawai'i dropped to 13-15 with its third consecutive loss. More important, the 'Bows fell to 5-10 in the WAC, and is now in position to appear in the play-in game of the WAC Tournament.

The eighth and ninth-place teams in the final standings meet in the play-in game.

San Jose State improved to 13-14 overall and is in sixth place in the WAC at 6-8.

The 'Bows had a chance to go ahead in the closing seconds, but Bill Amis missed two free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining and the score tied at 59. On the ensuing possession, Hawai'i's Kareem Nitoto was called for an intentional foul on Oliver, who broke free for a layup.

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

The game stayed close throughout the first half, with neither team ever leading by more than three points. The score was tied seven times in the first half, including 31-31 at intermission.

It remained close in the second half, and the lead was exchanged eight times.

Hawai'i had a 59-54 on a 3-pointer by Thompson with 3:36 remaining, but the Spartans were able to tie the score at 59 on a jump shot by Oliver with 16.7 seconds remaining.

Oliver scored 20 points to lead the Spartans, who swept the season series from the 'Bows.

Hawai'i's final game of the regular season will be on Saturday against New Mexico State at the Stan Sheriff Center. In order for the 'Bows to avoid the play-in game, they must beat New Mexico State and hope Idaho beats Louisiana Tech.

HAWAII (13-15)

Flemings 8-16 4-5 20, Amis 4-13 2-4 10, Campbell 0-1 0-0 0, Nitoto 3-5 1-2 7, Thompson 5-13 0-0 14, Fitzgerald 0-0 0-0 0, Lutu 0-0 0-0 0, Mayen 1-1 0-0 2, Adams 3-7 0-1 6. Totals 24-56 7-12 59.

SAN JOSE ST. (13-14)

Webster 6-11 0-1 12, Oakes 2-5 0-0 4, Oliver 8-14 4-6 20, Graham 2-7 1-2 5, Owens 1-5 0-0 3, Pierce 2-7 1-2 7, Wright 1-2 0-0 2, Thomas 4-4 0-0 8, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Peterson 0-0 0-0 0, Caballero 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-55 6-11 61.

Halftime—Tied 31-31. 3-Point Goals_Hawaii 4-8 (Thompson 4-7, Nitoto 0-1), San Jose St. 3-10 (Pierce 2-4, Owens 1-5, Oliver 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Hawaii 35 (Amis 9), San Jose St. 34 (Webster 8). Assists—Hawaii 15 (Nitoto 7), San Jose St. 11 (Graham, Oliver 3). Total Fouls—Hawaii 16, San Jose St. 14. A—2,249.