New Mexico State defeats Hawai’i in midnight game
The University of Hawai’i basketball team staged an early-morning rally, but it wasn’t quite enough as New Mexico State defeated the Warriors, 95-88, in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Warriors dropped to 2-1, while the Aggies improved to 2-1. Yet, neither team won the Classic championship. Western Michigan, which also went 2-1 in the tournament, was awarded the title based on a tie-breaker of fewest points allowed.
Hawai’i cut a 16-point deficit down to four in the second half, but had to play down the stretch without starting point guard Keith Shamburger, who was ejected in the second half after being assessed his second technical foul of the game.
Five technical fouls were called during the game – three on Hawai’i and two on New Mexico State.
Garrett Nevels led the Warriors with 26 points, including 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Isaac Fotu added 20 points and eight rebounds, and Quincy Smith scored 15.
New Mexico State finished with five players in double-figure points, led by Daniel Mullings with 21. Sim Bhullar, the Aggies’ 7-foot-5 center, finished with six dunks and 15 points and 10 rebounds. New Mexico State out-rebounded Hawai’i, 40-26.
The score was tied at 16 early, then the Aggies went on an 15-5 run in a span of less than five minutes to forge a 31-21 lead with 7:34 remaining in the first half.
New Mexico State eventually took a 46-37 lead at intermission, thanks in large part to a 26-15 advantage in rebounds.
The Warriors got as close as seven early in the second half, but the Aggies regained momentum and increased their lead to 64-50 with 12:34 remaining.
Shamburger was ejected from the game with 7:50 remaining after being assessed his second technical foul. New Mexico State had a 73-60 lead at the time of Shamburger’s ejection.
Redshirt freshman Dyrbe Enos came in to replace Shamburger, and the Warriors staged a late rally to cut the Aggies’ lead from 16 down to 80-72 with 3:44 remaining. Hawai’i then got as close as 82-77 with 1:48 remaining after Nevels drained three consecutive free throws.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later today.
We can get better. There’s room. No more live video, so I couldn’t see the game. And the Live audio is terribly problematic and so is very frustrating The “live stats” were the only way to follow the game. What happened to Sham? And what happened to Standhardinger? Both had terrible games, and apparently for different reasons. Maybe they had 8AM classes, while NMSU slept in. Alright, no excuses. More poki. And throw in a new defense or two.
akuhead2:
Actually, I was impressed that UH came back after Shamburger was ejected for 2nd technical foul with 7 minutes left in game. UH was down by 16 pts with about 5 min left in game, with Quincy Smith, and Garrett Nevels leading the charge, with 15 pts by Q and 26 pts by Nevels, UH, intensified their pressure D, and came within 4 pts. with about 30 seconds, left, untimely TO called by staff, when they did not have one left..So NMSU, shot two techs and that was the ball game. The guard for NMSU that UH was fouling to send to line, hit his last 10 FT’s in a row, sealing the game.
Positive: Even with Standhardinger not having a good game, and Shamburger negated by athletic D of NMSU, and ejection. Fotu, played well against that giant NMSU front line. And Q and G Nevels, are officially real, the real deal NCAA D1 ballers, they are going to be good in BWC play when Spearman comes back.In fact, not having Spearman, affects team leadership and the hustle and D that he brings. When he comes back, UH could defeat a team like NMSU. NMSU, just came alive for this midnite game, shooting so well, and owning the backboards.
Realistically, as I have stated, just my thought, if Hawaii, comes out of pre BWC play, at 11-3 or 10-4, they will do really well in BWC!Loved that without two guards, Spearman and Sham, the two JC guards took over and almost helped UH comeback and win. Fotu, is a beast, playing against a Center that was 9 inches taller, and 120 lbs heavier. Standhardinger, sometimes too emotional, and when his shot not falling, doesn’t do the other things, the fire, and desire, diving for loose balls, D up, hustle, make assists, get steals, just that drive, he was out of the game, on bench for most of second half when UH made run to come back..That is the POSITIVE going into a tough game on the road, Neutral court in Kansas City , Mo, to play an extremely athletic Mizzou Tiger team, a much more talented team, with bigs, and guards, wings, however as Gib stated in his post game show, don’t count THIS UH MBB team out of that game. If they play their defense, since they know they can score points, they are averaging over 82 points per game, if they play outstanding Team D, shoot well, rebound well, and play with nothing to lose, fire as a Team, maybe, Hawaii can get a HUGE upset against Mizzou this Saturday. If not, play Mizzou, tough and competitive…always, for this young UH team, they have to get better game, by game, day by day, and with a healthy Spearman, they will do some damage in BWC , I don’t have a doubt, still very impressed with Fotu, Quincy and Nevels, fantastic effort to come back from 16 points down, when NMSU could have blown UH out by 25 pts…UH to a man, did not give up, this loss shows the true character of a team, how they bounce back…on the road, just have the best effort, for 40 minutes, against Mizzou, and who knows..however, no shame if they do start year at 2-2, something, that we all thought could be possible, with NMSU and Mizzou, being the toughest two opponents UH would face in first two weeks of season.Go Bows, don’t give up, and trust me , with Spear back, and the great play of Q and G Nevels, UH will be there….Gib will coach them up, and get them back on track. pretty sure, Christian will be back as well, with his emotions in check and his fire and desire, helping team win a bunch of games. This young UH team, is going to be good, very good by Feb , March 2014, when they have to peak for BWC tourney!
Go Rainbow Warriors! Get better, regroup, I like that about 5 guys on team are scoring at double digits , this team can score, in the eighties, they are smaller than the big athletic teams, however just have to out execute, out coach and out play other teams that might be superior. If team does that., just get better, and learn from this loss, or the tough Mizzou, game …they will be fine..Hey fans, it is only 3 games into pre BWC season, still 11 more games till end of year, and start in January for BWC play.
Go Rainbow Warriors, you can do it..!
Thought NMS played a great game, they hit their shots.
At the same time thought our team played “okay.” There was no lack of effort. Thought we made some mental errors like Sham earning two technical fouls. In preparation for league and post season play these are the type of tough games we need to grow from. Believe we were a few made shots towards winning the game and just maybe Spearman may have been the edge we needed. At the end of the day, great effort and the team played every competitively, so, okay for today but expect a better tomorrow.