Box Score

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai`i men's basketball team used a hot shooting night to defeat the College of Charleston, 84-71, in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Tuesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. With the win UH won its fourth straight game and advanced to the tournament semifinals against UNLV on Wednesday night.

 

The Rainbow Warriors (6-4) shot 60.4 percent from the field, the team's best shooting performance in three years. UH never trailed in the game and built its lead to as many as 21 points in the second half.

 

Petras Balocka led a balanced attack with 19 points and 13 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Balocka also had a team-high six assists. Hiram Thompson added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Dwain Williams poured in 11 points.

 

Andrew Goudelock tallied a game-high 29 points for the Cougars (5-5) who lost their second straight game after winning four in a row.

 

UH got out of the gates quickly and  led by as many as 19 points in the first half before eventually taking a 39-27 lead into the locker room. The Rainbow Warriors shot 63 percent in the first half and out-rebounded the Cougars 20-10. The Warriors pushed its lead to 52-31 five minutes into the second half. The Cougars made a late rally but could get no closer than eight points.

 

UH's four-game win streak is the longest in Bob Nash's tenure, while the 'Bows have scored 80 or more points in three of their four wins. Hawai`i will now face former Western Athletic Conference UNLV, a 67-53 winner over SMU, in the tournament semifinals at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. Saint Mary's and USC will clash in the other semifinal matchup at 12:00 p.m..

 

 

St. Mary's 76, Northeastern 65

USC 55, Western Michigan 51

UNLV 67, SMU 53

Hawai`i 84, College of Charleston 71

 

 

Northeastern vs. Western Michigan, 10:00 a.m.

Saint Mary's vs. USC, 12:00 p.m.

UNLV vs. Hawai`i, 6:30 p.m.

SMU vs. College of Charleston, 9:00 p.m.