Rainbow Warriors upset Nevada, end nine-game losing streak
Advertiser Staff
The first sigh of relief was for the canceled tsunami warning. The second was for the University of Hawaiçi men's basketball team finally winning a game again.
The Rainbow Warriors broke a nine-game winning streak with a 74-63 upset of Nevada tonight.
A crowd of 3,469 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Hawai'i improve to 10-17 overall and 3-11 in the Western Athletic Conference.
The 'Bows are now tied with Boise State at the bottom of the WAC standings.
Hawai'i's next game is at Boise State on March 4. If the 'Bows win that game, they will qualify for the WAC Tournament.
Roderick Flemings went above the rim often to lead the 'Bows with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Hiram Thompson added 19 points and six assists, and Adhar Mayen scored a career-high 17 for Hawai'i.
The 'Bows shot 53.2 percent from the field, including 8 of 13 from 3-point range.
The 'Bows raced to an 8-0 lead to open the game and stayed with the Wolf Pack throughout the first half.
Nevada rallied to take a 27-21 lead, but Hawai'i out-scored the Wolf Pack 14-5 in the final seven minutes of the first half to take a 35-32 lead at intermission.
Flemings scored 14 points in the first half, including two highlight-reel dunks.
Nevada cut the Hawaiçi lead to 40-38 early in the second half, but the 'Bows responded with an 11-0 run to push their lead up to 51-38 with 13:24 remaining.
Thompson scored seven points during the run, including a 3-pointer from NBA range.
The 'Bows increased the lead to as many as 17 points, then held off a late Nevada charge.
The Wolf Pack used a 14-2 run to cut the Hawai'i lead to 62-59 with 2:45 remaining.
But the 'Bows responded with the next 10 points to seize control for good.
Brandon Fields led Nevada with 20 points.
It was the final home game as 'Bows for five Hawai'ii players: Brandon Adams, Petras Balocka, Paul Cambell, Flemings and Mayen. They were honored after the game.
Hawai\'çi still has two games remaining in the regular season, both on the road. After Thursday¹s game at Boise State, the ¹Bows will play at Idaho on Saturday.
