UPDATED: Second-half surge lifts Warriors over Norfolk State
Vowing to allow visiting Norfolk State “no rest and no rhythm” in the second half, Hawai’i surged past the Spartans, 77-66, in non-conference men’s basketball action Monday night.
A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 5,635 watched the Warriors improve to 10-3 – the best start to open a season since the 2004-05 team also started 10-3. Christian Standhardinger scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Garrett Nevels shot 4 of 5 from 3-point range and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, and Brandon Spearman contributed 11 points and a career-high five steals for the Warriors, who have now won eight of their last nine games. Norfolk State, which is the favorite to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, fell to 8-6.
“First of all, Norfolk State is a very good team, they’re well-coached and they pressed us and did a lot of things to slow us down,” UH coach Gib Arnold said. “In the first half, they beat us on the offensive glass … I don’t think we were playing bad, I think they (the Spartans) were playing well.”
Norfolk State led, 28-27, after a close first half in which the Spartans out-rebounded the Warriors, 18-13, and shot 4 of 10 from 3-point range. Anell Alexis broke a 20-20 tie on a 3-pointer with 6:42 remaining, but Hawai’i responded with Nevels’ floater and a three-point play by Isaac Fotu to take a 25-23 lead 90 seconds later. Norfolk State then went on its own 5-0 run, with Pendarvis Williams’ layup followed by Malcolm Hawkins’ 3-pointer with 3:28 left to make it 28-25.
Nevels then closed it to 28-27 on a 12-foot baseline jumper with 0:0.1 showing and had a chance to tie it with a free throw, but missed.
Several of the Warriors’ first-half possessions ended late in the shot clock, something they are not used to.
“They were able to press us and make us use eight seconds to get past halfcourt, and then we were a little hesitant to call out either ‘man’ or ‘zone’ (defense) before we got into our offense,” Arnold said. “Now there’s only 20 seconds left, and we’re not used to that. We’re used to putting up a shot within the first eight or 10 seconds, but they were getting guys into our passing lanes and did an excellent job changing things up.”
The Spartans also did an excellent job on the offensive boards, out-rebounding UH 9-3 in the first half.
Norfolk State led 32-30 early in the second half, but Nevels drained a deep 3-pointer to ignite a 9-0 run capped by Isaac Fotu’s free throw to give UH a 39-32 lead with 15:53 remaining in the game.
The Warriors later stretched the lead to 64-50 on Spearman’s layup off Standhardinger’s assist with 6:30 left, and the Spartans could not get closer than 74-66 on Hawkins’ 12-foot bank shot with 1:26 remaining.
“We just had to adjust to their style,” said Standhardinger, who scored 20 of his points and grabbed seven rebounds after halftime. “They were slowing us down, and maybe we weren’t playing like how we should have been. So in the second half we tried to get them to play our game, we were pressing and with that momentum, more shots came to us.”
Arnold said the second-half mantra was, “no rest, no rhythm.”
“We didn’t want them to get into a rhythm,” Arnold said. “I loved how our press got into them. We forced them into 13 turnovers in the second half and those led to some easy baskets. We wanted to get to their legs.”
After shooting just 42.9 percent in the first half, the Warriors shot 57.1 percent in the second half, including 83.3 percent (5 for 6) from 3-point range, and out-scored the Spartans, 50-38. Hawai’i also got out-rebounded, 18-13, in the first half, but then out-rebounded the Spartans, 15-8, in the second half.
The Warriors collected 13 steals in the game, led by Spearman’s five and Standhardinger’s three. Junior point guard Keith Shamburger got two steals, and also led Hawai’i with six assists.
Norfolk State may be an unfamiliar name to casual fans, but Arnold said it was another quality victory over a post-season caliber opponent. Last week, the Warriors scored key wins over Saint Mary’s and Oregon State.
“This is a better win than people may realize,” Arnold said. “This team (Norfolk State), you might remember, upset Missouri in a 15 (seed) vs. 2 (seed) NCAA Tournament game (in 2012). They went 16-0 in their conference last year and are predicted to do it again. You’ll see this team in the NCAA Tournament.”
Pendarvis Williams and Malcolm Hawkins led the Spartans with 16 points each, while 7-foot center Brandon Goode contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.
UH will return to the court at 7 p.m. Friday vs. Omaha. The Mavericks are 10-4 and are one of the top offensive teams in the nation at 84.9 points per game.
“Now we’ve got another team that is really good and we gotta be ready for,” Arnold said.
(Game photos courtesy Brandon Flores / www.brandonfloresphotography.com)
Good Win, ‘Bows!
Way to Step It Up
Accelerate and Shift to Higher Gears in the Second Half…
This Team has a Few More Options
Available and More than Past Seasons
——–
IF The Team DOES Come Through
(Into NIT or NCAA Qualification)
I Would Say they ‘Expect’ To WIN A Few
They are Counting a Category Called
‘Wins Over Post-Season Teams…”
GOOD END to 2013!
Let’s Have a BIG Start to 2014
WIN, Again !
——————-
THEN Surprise the Big West by Running A Winning STREAK
A LONG Winning Streak …
Used to be in the past, teams would separate from us in the second half. Now we are doing the separation and that’s what you got to do if you want to call yourself good. Just like in boxing: you soften the guy up and then you sense that you can take him out in the later rounds.
It’s encouraging too that Gib is giving Valdez and Thomas sneek peeks into close games. Even those short times will stick in their heads because they come in when the game is tight and they get to feel what it’s like.
I think Gib went with Jawato over Enos because of the height match up and Jawato’s streak shooting.
They’re starting to double Fotu like how they did to Vander. The open man needs to do just that—get open. And Fotu needs to look for him. And even if the defense rotates, keep passing the ball quickly and someone should end up with a good look. In the NBA teams will double only in last resort because most teams will punish the defense by finding the open man. Of course the NBA zone defense is a little more spread out from college but the outcome should be the same—find the open man.
Eagle and servante, and all UH MBB fan faithful, Gib is maturing as coach, his recruiting base, the High Character, winning attitude, and all are fighters, is showing up on the court, doesn’t matter if they were playing Jeff P’s team Duke, Syracuse, or Louisville, team, listens, learns, and are now winning!
Joy to watch, they are playing basketball.
servante, agree totally with Fotu’s being defended, all the Big West team’s are going to double down, even helpside…did notice, hesitation on Isaac’s part, do I make my move against shot blocker plus help defenders, or kick it out. Isaac, with help of Scott Fisher, will have to think faster BBIQ wise and kick out to guards or shooters., Isaac is smart, not like Vander, he would hold the ball for what seemed like 30 seconds of shot clock, then throw up a wild shot, or get stripped. Fotu, can get to next level, by recognizing doubles. He is that good.
I like this team, without question, goal split or better on the road, won’t be easy, however, guard play elevated will help team win some close ones, and try to sweep everything at home. They could finish, hopefully 1, 2 or 3. Better if they won BWC regular=NIT, and win BWC tourney=NCAA’s!
This team helping Hawaii sports fans, have ray of hope!
Have a great Jan-April 2014 run UH MBB, go for the Gold!
Go Bows, Rainbow Warriors, Warriors, the Mighty warriors, whatever, just keep on winning! Great job Gib and guys!
😀
Hey…I like the SOCKS, and the Hawaii print on the sides of their shorts. Very Hawaii theme. Go Rainbows.
This team, very, entertaining, and playing ball. Should be a real great Big West Season.
Watch out Hawaii, as Christian, said, they were, not as well prepared, that Post DHC, RBC letdown, probabaly. Norfolk, having been to tough places to play, and all those seniors, with good athletes, that first half struggle by UH was no fluke, Norfolk good team, probably as Gib says NCAA bound.
Now Omaha, just as good, midwestern team, as every one knows, they can play ball.
UH have a good day off, comeback, on Thursday, or Wed afternoon film breakdown, and get ready for a war with Nebraska Omaha, who are really good. 10-4 and ranked in that top 100 NCAA’s power polls. should be good game. Come out that 4000+ faithful, team enjoys the noise, they are good athletes, this year’s team, very special group. And Gib, gotta sign that extension on his contract, in Hawaii, very, slow to get things done. All Gib and team have to do, until he signs on dotted line, keep winning!
Nice way for UH to finish out 2013. 10-3, it could easily have been 12-1 !!
Shout out to Tonganator, Aussie Mum, who is one of the best Mike Harper fans and UH fans on the earth, and all the families, from Latvia, to Toronto, look forward to UH MBB team and Gib to go chasing, and capturing championships of BWC, and possible NIT or NCAA invitations!
Uhfanzonly1.
Good job Gib and team. Hope team aced their finals, and have great GPA, and guys on pace to graduate!
As 2013 draws to a close, I want to wish all of the families safe travels for those leaving the islands and joyous celebrations to all in bringing in the new year.
Thank you to the UH men for being a great team. Each and everyone of you bring a distinct flavor, style and dynamic which make for great friendships and an eager energy push to become bigger, better, stronger! Continue this momentum into the new year.
To the fans of WI….What a great season we are in! We are so lucky to have each other to enjoy this all together!
Happy 2014!
Aloha,
The Schmidt Family
Aloha and wonderful Mahalo to the Schmidts, Ameriprise, Pacific Risk Solutions, the hardest working MBB site staff on this planet, Dayton Morinaga, and Wes Nakama and crew.
Dayton, the video. of games, the hilites, are world class, great work. For the past 4 years going on, of Gib era, we die hard and a growing worldwide and island wide base of UH MBB fans, we appreciate WI so much!
Look forward to a great 2014, run towards March Madness!
A million thanks once again to Warrior Insider, and The Schmidts, and all contributors, fans, young and old alike. Get on board, for a wonderful ride, with UH Rainbow Warrior Basketball!
Uhfanzonly1.
I Like that As Game Factors Change & Mature WE Get Better
I Agree that Gib IS Maturing As A Coach…
ALL The Hundreds of Smart and Painful Things You NEVER Learn As An Assistant
As NORM is Also Learning Now….
He´s Learned to ¨Package and Announce ‘Bad’ News” with the Total Story.
Yes, a Fan Favorite OR a Player Who ‘No One’ Cared About IS Transferring Out
BUT At the Same Time, We Have TWO Equally Good (Better) Players Transferring IN…
OR To BE a Better ‘Technical’ Coach
We’re a Running Team… (BUT First You Gotta Recruit that Point Guard that ‘Everyone’ Wants…)
We Called a Solid Game-Winning Play with Three Winnable Options:
BUT You gotta have a point guard that can control the ball for ALL 23 seconds, AND Penetrate into the Key And Draw Attention And Dish… (Creating an Opening for Fotu, AND Standhardinger And BOTH WOULD Hit their shots or Get Fouled otherwise (Christian Should Be the First Option ‘cos At This Time he’d hit More Free Throws)…
[Yes, Better Players Executing Better make for a Better Coach…]
i “Think” he coulda (shoulda) Beat Boise, Too …
So Many Ways…
So It Goes…
————–
And as Valerie and many said,
Among the Best Parts of What Makes This Rising UHMBB Success Story So Much Fun and Special
IS This Site & Staff, Sponsors & Contributors
Documenting, Sharing Insights, Getting to Know More ‘Bout the Players and their Families
and that Across the Board, so many Good People and Outstanding Young Student-Athletes
Who are Smart Enough to Recognize and Appreciate How Special All of This Really Is…
Ho’okahi No ‘Ohana
Ready for An Outstanding 2014!!?
HAPPY, Safe & Healthy New Year, ALL!
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
Nice, wonderful article by Dave Reardon , SA,about UH MBB team, and the worth, of being in attendance to games. As some have mentioned on this site, it is that core , for this year, 4000-4300, who will try to be at every game. I think UH averages about 5600 tickets sold, so that is good. Maybe when school is back in session and Jamie Smith returns, a couple of hundred, his goal of 400 student Maniacs will add to that core 4000.
Myself, because of work schedule, and obligations cannot make many games, however when can, saw games in person, and this team is exciting, like the Fab Five, Henderson, AC and Savo led teams, a 21st century, very special team.
The ones around the world, US mainland, and especially the Big Island, Maui, Lanai , Molokai, Kauai, and Niihau, probably a couple of thousand or more tune into OC broadcast.
Hope that UH makes a run for first place, and the games at Stanley , with LBSU, UCSB, Northridge, and senior nite will draw 7000-9000, hard economic times, too, so cost of parking, getting tickets for family of four, rough for many on Oahu. I am certain, there is a solid base of maybe, two Stan Sheriff Center total attendance, 20,000 or more who are following success of team. These guys and Gib are doing great, and looking for a great finish , and possible big dances.
For Students: on campus, or fellow student athletes dorming, since part of tuition, or scholarships, the tickets to get in, come on out, and support the UH MBB team, they are worth it, an EXCITING, and Winning Team.
Also good writeups by Ferd Lewis and Brian Mcinnis, Leahy and Leahy like the team too. Exciting and winners
Agree with that article and blogs, parking, lower bowl seating…maybe, pretty sure Ben Jay reads the blogs, and this forum posts, Ben: maybe, general admission, $8.00 for adults 18 and over, 17 and under $3.00, or family of 4 – $28.00, …besides the season and presales, ticket seats, OPEN up all seats upper AND lower bowl, not taken, for that general admission price for rest of season. Plus lower the parking to $4.00, for this year, and concession prices, by a dollar or more per item.
I would think if core of 6000+ show at every home game for rest of season and Possible host a round or two of NIT , if UH gets invited. would be great, Standhardinger, Spearman and Rozitis, deserve a 9000+ senior nite sendoff! Right now, UH is the Only NCAA DI program in Hawaii, and are worth the price of admission, maybe by having really drastic, incentives, will push up attendance for those Sat. games, the Thursday nites, kind of rough, good if Big West had Friday , Sunday afternoon Hawaii games, more would come out. anyways, hope that 5000+ will show agains Omaha, if work permitting, will be there. p.s. I know it is EXTREME lowering of prices, but hey, Ben Jay had to do what he has to do, to get people to come to games, at least worth a try. Probably not financially sound, but worth a shout out.
They’re NOT going to slash ticket prices by over 2/3… that’s crazy dude. Basketball is one of three sports that can cover their own costs with ticket sales, this isn’t going to change.
Athletics also has NO say in parking. that’s a separate entity.
I dont think slashing the ticket prices changes attendance even close to enough to make it worth it, money wise. this isnt football, the team isnt struggling.
xer 21…I know..Basketball with season and prepaid sales over 5000 per game, Basketball Men’s pretty good covering their expense. Just thinking as I said xer, Waay out of the Box, if Ben and UH want more okoles in seats. Really, not just TV coverage, the economy, we take a family of 4, it is expensive for Hawaii because of cost of living, so only one at a time can go.
Well reality in 21st century, That is why, Ben and ADept look at tickets SOLD each nite, UH MBB for years have covered their costs, you are right, what is making things shaky for supporitng DI football, and the engine that drives the ADept, UH Football, their season ticket and walkup and online sales have to increase, And Chow, has to get better at winning, maybe this is the year, Norm will go 7-6 and go to Hawaii, ,bowl, that would be great, and fans would attend more games.
Basketball, really worth it, if you all can afford to take a friend or family member. Really, since I grad UH too, the UH students, on campus dorming, that is where Jamie Smith might go door to door again, drum up support, The students, espcecially since as was mentioned here, the MBB team showed up at their games, now the Student athletes form the other sports should support UH MBB team. would be great.
xer21, I know it was crazy, however , if UH almost runs the table in conference, or has LBSU and UCSB, Irvine, or Poly here at the Stanley playing for a regular season championship, will sneak away from work and go to game..very sure, that the house will have 8000+
winbow, maybe SSC, bring fans from upper level to lower, or loge, concourse. Create greater crowd noise, fan support. However, UH fans, reality, if team has an exciting play or run, then they cheer.
Not like some BCS schools where more than half or majority of fans in attendance are students, i.e. Duke, Cameron Crazies.
You are right though, Jamie Smith, can have a huge impact on getting his goal of 400 UH student Manoa Maniacs, and 50 or so pep band, cheerleader, dancers, another 20 or so, making noise.
Think that TV contract pays for a lot of bills for UH MBB, so UH broadcasts live home games. The other schools in BWC that follow their teams visiting SSC, are treated to play by play of OC sports, Kanoa Leahy, Artie and Tony. Really great following.
As Gib stated, the other islands, there must be several thousand, like UH MBB , never get to see live, except when UH goes for that one game against Chaminade, so they like the live coverage. Remember back in the day the Fabulous Five and Tom Henderson Days, cheaper tickets, parking, ones would walk in, parking side streets Makiki, Beretania, Young St, Kapiolani etc, to avoid, one or two dollar parking fee. and tickets 40 years ago, were a bargain, what 3-4-5-6 dollars! Even with live TV covearage of UH home games, 7500-8000 would show up, because team was winning, and exciting, maybe with Henderson days, not as many wins, however to see Tom in person, was exciting.
Go Bows!
😀
Shout out to those 4000 that do show up , rain or shine, win or lose, now mostly winning!
UH MBB team, play for those faithful, ones, the die hard fans, when you guys, might approach 22 or 23 wins and battle for first place, then the final home games, maybe that 9000 plus attendance, as winbow says, the seniors deserve a great and Winning sendoff for final road games and BWC tournament!
This team is fun!
Go Bows!
😀
need to cut the live tv for all games ,should be avail if sold out Free tv is bad for live gate attendance, makes people too lazy to get down to the Stanley. .
Hate to break it to you, Winbows, but Chow is an awful coach and we wont go to a bowl game this year. you can bank on that.
He never should have been hired in the first place.
and they should just black out the tv broadcast on Oahu. it makes no sense to punish the outer islands for something they cant control. and they probably shouldnt black it out anyways.
Once again, Bottom line, if UH MBB sold 6000 season tickets, with walkup and online sales, another 1000, so average 7000+, in tickets sold, for UH AD and dept. that is the true measure of success financially for MBB program and AD.
It might take awhile, probably Ben Jay will start more promotions, discounts, two for ones, 4 packs, free sodas and saimin, trips to Mainland, Tuition for UH students, shoot from half court! would be big one.
Traditionally, during holiday time, after the Fab Five, Henderson days, attendance was smaller, UH students on break, etc. Families with kids, holiday parties, and Hawaii being so beautiful, many back in the day, would rather go beach, surf, camping, or visit relatives outer islands.
UH MBB team, and Gib, their mission, just keep winning games. Hawaii, fans, the bandwagon jumpers, will come on board, however, with economic, and social stress , physical ailments and age, a lot of ones who would like to go to SSC , simply cannot. TV or no TV. UH want to generate revenue from those that want to watch at home, remember Online Road Runner, PPV, for FB it was $12.95 I think, ..
I am sure team and Gib are most concerned with Winning, and going to NIT , NCAA’s, they have a lot of Media support which is great, that is a promotion in itself. And that faithful 4 thousand who come TV no TV, delayed, not Delayed, PPV or no PPV. They are the die hard super fans, and Gib appreciates them tremendously, ..notice, how win or lose, team and coaches, thank the fans, high fives etc, especially since they are winning and improving.
NO worries, as long as team wins, and goes to NIT or NCAA, and have a huge crowd for Senior nite, as winbow says, that is the key. I think Omaha game might have 5000+, hopefully!
Go Bows!
😀
and xer21, I
don’t think winbow is thinking crazy, he tries to go, when he can, just thinking outside of the box, how to get people to go to home games. With AC and Alika, Savo and English, there was a buzz, and those teams won, and upset some top 30, or top 5 teams.Give Gib and team a chance, they make it to Big or little dance, NCAA or NIT, with Jankovic, Negus and Isaac Fleming and possibly another athletic shot blocker, or SF athletic Power guy, maybe next year, the fan floodgates will happen.
Still think , UH MBB has to prove they can split or better every road trip to really be contenders, if they play defense, take care of the ball, and shoot well, they can win here and on the road. BWC, appears, to be shaping up like, LBSU with Tyler Lamb, UCSB with Williams, Cal Irvine, Northridge with Reggie Theus’ athletes , …UH just keep on winning , bottom line. Try to win the BWC!
Fans, winbows, hoopsa, etc, xer, I think soon WI will turn the page as it were, to preparing for Nebraska Omaha! Great for those that can go to game, We did nearly 50 years ago, until could not anymore, well worth it!
I love the attitude of Isaac, he is not into who scores how many points, it is How He can help team, and they get the W. Same with Nevels and Smith, they came here to develop that Winning, never say lose culture . Standhardinger, hates to lose, so does, Shamburger. Spearman is the glue, heart and soul, he is that consistent guy, who helps team to battle the athletic big perimeter teams.
WE as fans, have to love Gib and his growing BB program, they are fun to watch as Reardon, Lewis, Mcinnis, Leahy’s say. And those faithful whether 4500 or 9500 who go to games, plus a statewide audeince of probably thousands more, have something to look forward to, even if games were only on Radio, that is how a lot of us, before, UH BB was on TV followed games, here and away, on the old fashioned Radio!
Hope team, gets ready for a good Omaha team and comes out with a victory, for those that can afford it, and are physically able to go, enjoy the best NCAA DI basketball team in the Mid Pacific!
Uhfanzonly1.
And shout out to you Caleb Dressler, glad to see you at the game this past Monday! Rehab well and we look forward to your addition next year!
Hey Ben Jay,
More students needed in the Stanley, we need to get the place crazy and the Utah St arena! how about tailgate area like previous year, booths set up on side of arena,food, refreshments, seating areas, music, have some of the vendors participate in this, we should do it as much as possible, also need to change up the TV contract and black out home games ,or at least delay it 24hrs. and get a better liv gate.