Hawai’i upsets New Mexico State, 91-87
Zane Johnson returned from illness to score a season-high 29 points — including seven 3-pointers — and point guard Miah Ostrowski returned from a staph infection to score nine points and dish out eight assists tonight as Hawai’i upset Western Athletic Conference co-leader New Mexico State, 91-87.
An energized crowd of 7,346 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Warriors improve to 11-8 overall, 3-2 in the WAC. The Aggies fell to 14-6, 4-1. Johnson and Ostrowski had missed Thursday’s 74-70 loss to Louisiana Tech.
UH led by as much as 71-52 after Hauns Brereton’s layup with 11:15 remaining, but New Mexico State made a furious late rally to close it to 89-85 on Wendell McKines’ putback with 11.6 seconds left. But Shaquille Stokes sealed the victory with two free throws one second later as the Aggies could only get a putback by McKines with 1.1 ticks remaining.
Joston Thomas added 17 points and nine rebounds and Vander Joaquim finished with 11 points and 10 boards for the Warriors.
Bandja Sy led New Mexico State with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Hamidu Rahman added 16 points and McKines — the WAC leader in scoring and rebounds — finished with 14 points and nine boards. He was held to two points and three rebounds in the first half.
Got a little tight at the end, but great win! Zane, Jonston, and Miah really showed up, as did Vander in the 2nd half. It was important for us to bounce back after the LaTech win. Well done.
This team is hot.
Nice Bounce Back !
IF they can Win at least two of three at Utah State, Idaho and San Jose …
they’ll likely hold court in The Top Three or Four …
Do Any Better and they may overcome the Home Flop with LA Tech …
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Thoughts versus NMSU and Team Emerging Development:
Knocking on Wood: The Team has avoided for the most part, severe injury bugs, or defections… amazing the impact of a two (three with Vander) player loss — struggling with maybe one of the worst conference teams (they also won @ SJSU for a road sweep) versus beating among the best … hopefully good health improves and continues …
Looks like a Tough Game when we visit @ NMSU — Looks Like they have another Power & Speed Gear that we never let them get going here — hopefully by then, we’ll be hitting on more cylinders (Ex: like Hauns and Miah hitting freely, which we’re still only seeing flashes of) and playing even stronger defense;
Super Returns by Zane, Miah & Vander to hold on;
Great Fill-In by Emerging Davis Rozitis who i think will become a force — good blocks, offensive rebounds and finishes …
Steady Joston — funny (looking back at transitional past dramas) and great that he’s becoming among the most steady and consistent of performers … his steady rise gives Hawai’i Three 13+ points per game performers — i’ve noted that when a team has three or more players who “Can score at will” they become very difficult to beat, and become very tough finishers …
Adding Shaq, Hauns and now Miah as capable of 10+ point performances on any given night is making this team more difficult to defend; even the ‘defensive’ role players like Trevor & Garrett are showing more frequent aggressive offensive flashes; As Bobby and Davis also get more consistent the ability to score from all positions is becoming more of a reality… (they’re all capable, just needing to build more confidence, assertiveness and consistency, which is the challenge for young teams)
Great win team!! Obviously need to tighten it up on the ball security aspect but nice win regardless!