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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 4, 2010

Rainbow Warriors' WAC tourney chances take hit after loss to Boise St.


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Hawai‘i's Paul Campbell (21) goes after a loose ball against Boise State during the first half. The Broncos beat the Rainbow Warriors, 82-63.

MATT CILLEY | Associated Press

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One more shot.

That's all the University of Hawaiçi men's basketball has after an 82-63 road loss at Boise State today.

And it will be a long shot.

The Rainbow Warriors' fate for next week's Western Athletic Conference Tournament took a crucial blow with the loss to the Broncos at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

The 'Bows could have qualified for the WAC Tournament at Reno, Nev., with a win over Boise State today.

Instead, Hawaiçi must now win its season finale at Idaho on Saturday, and hope that two other teams win on Saturday as well. In particular, San Jose State would need to beat Boise State, and Nevada would need to beat Louisiana Tech for the 'Bows to qualify for the WAC Tournament.

Hawaiçi is 10-19 overall and in last place in the WAC at 3-12. The 'Bows are 0-8 on the road this season. Boise State improved to 14-16 overall and 4-11 in the WAC.

The 'Bows stayed close in the first half, then the Broncos ran away in the second half.

Leroy Lutu Jr. scored a career-high 12 points for Hawaiçi, and Adhar Mayen added 10.

Hawaiçi shot a respectable 46.4 percent from the field, but committed a costly 18 turnovers.

Hawaiçi leading scorer Roderick Flemings had six points and seven assists. He was affected by an apparent case of food poisoning earlier in the day. He skipped the team's morning shootaround and pre-game meal.

Hawaiçi held a momentary 17-14 lead early in the game after back-to-back 3-pointers by Mayen and Hiram Thompson.

The Broncos responded with a 14-2 run to take a 30-21 lead with 6:01 remaining. The 'Bows eventually cut the deficit to 33-30 at intermission.

Hawaiçi managed to tie the score at 33 early in the second half, but it was all Boise State after that.

The Broncos used an 11-2 surge to take a 56-43 lead midway through the second half. Hawaiçi never got closer than 11 in the game's final 10 minutes, and Boise State led by as many as 21 points.