SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team was decimated on the boards and in the paint in a 68-59 loss to Santa Clara last night at the Leavey Center.

The Rainbow Warriors were out-rebounded 45-24. It was only the second time this year that the 'Bows lost the rebounding battle. The other game, against California, also ended in a Hawai'i loss.

Hawai'i was also outscored in the paint, 28-14.

"Their bigs came to play and ours were a no-show," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "We weren't fighting them for position and that showed up in a big way on the stat sheet and ultimately the scoreboard."

Hawai'i, which was playing its fourth road game in seven days, dropped to 4-3; the Broncos improved to 4-2.

The 'Bows severely lacked the interior scoring of senior forward Ahmet Gueye.

Before yesterday's game, the 6-foot-8, 235-pound Gueye was second on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game. However, the Broncos' thick post players, including 6-10, 305-pound John Bryant and 7-foot, 275-pound Josh Higgins, forced Gueye into a 0-for-6 shooting night. He went scoreless for the first time in 33 games in a Hawai'i uniform.

"I thought he was a little intimidated," Wallace said. "This is probably the worst game I've seen him play. But it's tough when you're undersized and you've got to go up against guys like that."

The Broncos took a 33-31 lead into halftime, then used a quick 5-0 run to put the 'Bows on their heels to begin the second half. Hawai'i got no closer than three after that.

"We dug ourselves a hole at the start of the second half," senior guard Matt Lojeski said. "They crushed us down low and we didn't get to the free-throw line to get easy points. I'm just real disappointed. I know it was a long road trip but good teams never downgrade their opponents and I think we let one get away tonight."

The 'Bows closed in late with two consecutive 3-pointers by Matt Gibson cutting the Santa Clara lead to 65-57 with 1:20 to play.

Bronco senior guard Danny Pariseau missed two free throws, providing a late glimmer of hope for Hawai'i, but the 'Bows turned the ball over on their next possession, ending any threat of a comeback.

Lojeski led all scorers with 16 points. Gibson added 14 points, and Dominic Waters scored 10 off the bench. Gueye and starting center Stephen Verwers both went scoreless.

Brody Angley led the Broncos with 14 points.

Despite forcing 23 turnovers and committing 15 of their own, Hawai'i couldn't capitalize offensively.

"I know we're at the end of a road trip, but I told the guys that they need to let this one hurt," Wallace said. "We have a really nice team, but I want them to feel the sting of this game for a while."

The Warriors return home to host UNLV at the Stan Sheriff Center on Tuesday. It will be the first of six consecutive home games in December.