Warriors hold off Titans, 76-59
Stefan Jankovic scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Quincy Smith added 15 points and three assists tonight to help Hawai’i hold off Cal State Fullerton, 76-59, in Big West Conference men’s basketball action.
A crowd of 7,027 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Aaron Valdes add 15 points and 10 boards, Roderick Bobbitt 12 points and four assists, and Sai Tummala 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Rainbow Warriors improved to 20-3 overall and stayed atop the league standings at 9-1. The Titans fell to 9-15, 2-9.
UH jumped out to a 20-3 lead in the first eight minutes, including a 7-0 start out of the gates. Smith scored eight of his points during that period, including two 3-pointers.
Cal State Fullerton finally snapped the run with Tre’ Coggins laying in a high left-handed banker off the glass, igniting a 24-9 run capped by Malcolm Brooks’ 3-pointer which closed it to 29-27 with 4:55 remaining. But the Rainbow Warriors closed the half with an 11-4 surge.
The Titans got as close as 48-41 after Lionheart Leslie’s free throws with 12:48 left, but Tummala answered with a 3-pointer from the left corner to start Hawai’i on an 11-2 run capped by Stefan Jovanovic’s hook shot to make it 59-43 with 8:44 remaining, and Cal State Fullerton could not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.
Saturday’s other Big West results
Long Beach State 57, at UC Davis 48
at UC Irvine 93, CSUN 84
Cal Poly 86, at UC Riverside 78
All the team contribute including the Eran recruits, I say this because some used to say that the team is the same as last year, etc.
Hawaii took care of business. Plus Fullerton had too much sun yesterday as they couldn’t hit anything. x factor Smith getting better and better. Ditto Tuamala becoming a more complete player.Isaac was ready but Ganot keeping him for the road. Not taking any chances re injuring his ankle. Big games coming up on the road. 20 wins is sweet but more is yet to come.
Servante, Ganot said he kept Fleming on bench because he hasn’t practiced. I thought Fleming did practice though per McInnis tweet. Or was that just a shoot around?
Great win again BOWS!!! Just Win BOWS!
Way to go warriors.win# 20.impressive.Hawaii will make it to the big dance.they really deserve it.they should be rank in the top 25.
Per the last tweet on this yesterday, he was “still not back in regular action at practice … “
OAKLAND510,
heard you on Fan Phone. Awesome energy and thank you for recognizing the fans for their support! But it’s not too hard to support a team as special as this one! Rep hard with all the other Cali fans at the CSUN and Irvine games!
Islandman,
Thanks for clarifying. If that’s the case then it’s no wonder why Fleming didn’t play tonight.
Great getting 20th win! Real good preparation for
Bigwest tournament, finish with some road games.
Three seasons in a row 20 wins fantastic! Fullerton lot
of heart, next year will be very good team.
Sure will Tav and thanks. I’m so happy for all the folks on the islands nothing like winning .
Tavs thanks for the support Ganot & Isaac have know player coach relationship if you ask him he will tell you he havent spoke to the coach in weeks so [ islandman] save the BS if you wasnt going to play him why make him available and suit him up did the coach treat Valdes the same its called equal oppurtunity.Isaac mist one practice due to protocol allergic reaction to sun screen he had to be cleared from the Doctor. [ fleming will only be used as needed ]
Way to go, Warriors! Now demo CSUN!!!
Wait…..so Issac hasn’t spoken to Coach in weeks? Is the negativity that bad over there? My word.
Both egos need to be put on the side and keep moving forward. I think everyone is sick of the BS right about now.