Hawai’i falls short in opener to SIU-Edwardsville, 69-68
The University of Hawai’i basketball team came up short in its 2016-17 season opener, falling to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 69-68, on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Noah Allen scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Sheriff Drammeh added 17 points to lead the Warriors. Freshman reserve center Ido Flaisher added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Jack Purchase scored eight for the Warriors.
Hawai’i rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to take a brief one-point lead late in the game, but SIUE eventually held on for the win.
Drammeh and Purchase each hit a 3-pointer during a 10-0 surge that gave Hawai’i a 32-22 lead with 7:04 remaining in the first half. The Cougars responded immediately with a 12-2 run to tie the score at 34.
Noah Allen hit a driving shot with three seconds remaining in the first half to give the Warriors a 38-36 lead at intermission.
The Cougars went on an 11-2 run early in the second half to take a 51-44 lead.SIUE increased the lead to as many as 11, but the Warriors rallied behind Allen to regain the lead. A three-point play by Allen cut the SIUE lead to 61-58, then a driving layup by Allen gave the Warriors a momentary 62-61 lead with 4:50 remaining.
The game stayed close after that, and a driving layup by Drammeh tied the score at 68 with 2:10 remaining. SIUE took a 69-68 lead with 1:19 remaining on a free throw by Carlos Anderson.
Hawai’i had two possessions in the final minute, but could not score. Allen missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, but the loose rebound went off a SIUE player, giving the Warriors one last chance with 4.3 seconds remaining, but it resulted in a turnover.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.
(Game photo courtesy Brandon Flores / www.brandonfloresphotography.com)
Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic
Friday’s results
Texas State 61, Florida Atlantic 57
SIU-Edwardsville 69, Hawai’i 68
Sunday’s games
Florida Atlantic vs. SIU-Edwardsville, 2:30 p.m.
Hawai’i vs. Texas State, 5:00 p.m.
Monday’s games
SIU-Edwardsville vs. Texas State, 6:00 p.m.
Hawai’i vs. Florida Atlantic, 11:15 p.m.
Well, we have 3 clear starters on this team, Noah Allen, Gibson Johnson, and Ido Flaisher.
We are still waiting for two more palyers to step up.