UPDATED: Warriors rebound for big road win at Cal Poly
Whatever happened on the way from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo needs to be bottled and saved for future use for this University of Hawai’i basketball team.
Two days after a forgettable loss at last-place UC Santa Barbara, the Warriors rebounded with a resounding 82-61 victory at Cal Poly on Saturday. A crowd of 2,317 at Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif., watched the Warriors complete a sweep of the regular-season series with the Mustangs.
Hawai’i improved to 13-13 overall and remain in sixth place in the Big West Conference at 7-6; Cal Poly dropped to 8-18 and 3-9.
Noah Allen recorded team-highs of 30 points and nine rebounds to lead the Warriors. After scoring just six points in the upset loss at UCSB, Allen shot 10 for 16 from the field overall, including 5 for 8 from 3-point range. He also went 5 for 6 on free throws, and had five assists.
It is Allen’s fourth 30-point game of this season, putting him in elite company in the UH record books. Only three previous Hawai’i players have recorded four or more 30-point games in one season: Gavin Smith had five in the 1976-77 season, Anthony Harris had four in 1995-96, and Tom Henderson had four in 1973-74.
Allen scored 20 of his points in the first half, as the Warriors took control early and then pulled away in the second half.
The final margin of 21 points tied a UH record for largest margin of victory in a Big West Conference road game.
Gibson Johnson contributed 14 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Warriors. Jack Purchase, who went scoreless in the loss at UCSB, had13 points and eight rebounds, and connected on 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Leland Green added nine points, six rebounds and four assists; Sheriff Drammeh had seven points and six assists.
It was one of the best team efforts of the season, as the Warriors shot 50.9 percent from the field, including a season-best 56.5 percent (13 for 23) from 3-point range. They also passed for 20 assists, committed just 10 turnovers and out-rebounded Cal Poly 42-30.
Hawai’i opened the game with a 7-0 lead and never relented. An 11-2 run moments later increased the Hawai’i lead to 22-9 with 14:48 remaining in the first half.
The Warriors led by as many as 15 in the first half (27-12), with Allen (5 for 5) and Purchase (3 for 3) both shooting perfect from the field in the early going.
Cal Poly rallied to cut the Hawai’i lead to 35-33 late in the first half, but the Warriors closed the half with a 9-4 surge to take a 44-37 advantage at intermission. Allen scored 20 points in the first half on 7-for-9 shooting, including 4 for 5 from 3-point range.
Hawai’i opened the second half with a 16-7 run to increase its lead to 60-44. The Mustangs never got closer than 13 the rest of the way.
Cal Poly shot just 37.7 percent from the field overall, including 25 percent (5 for 20) from 3-point range. Ridge Shipley led the Mustangs with 16 points, and Victor Joseph added 15.
The Warriors are scheduled to return to Honolulu on Sunday and will have a week to prepare for the home finale against Cal State Fullerton on February 25. Allen will be honored after the game as the lone senior on this season’s roster.
Saturday’s Games
Long Beach State 66, at UC Santa Barbara 48
at Cal State Fullerton 79, UC Davis 72
at UC Irvine 79, UC Riverside 60
Hawai’i 82, at Cal Poly 61
Only three games left in regular season.
C’mon NCAA.
Impressive win. I am going to be sorry to see this season put in the books. On the other hand we still have three games to go and possibly the Big West tournament. I am amazed how we coach our team to play for the assist. It makes for a much more exciting game. I think this year Noah, Jack and Brock have set the example for a number of players, especially Sheriff, to look for the assist when you may be forced into a bad shot around the basket. Just great ball movement last night.
Going to on-demand to see the IHL championship game and watch Samuta Area and Dan Fotu play. I thought I heard someone say Dan was a Junior. Can anyone tell me how he and when he got to Kahuku?
Yes great win lastnight! They kept their composure.
Unselvesh play and getting inside the paint!
Cal poly has some quick guards but we did well on defensive help!
Time to take it to Fullerton!
Fotu arrived shortly before Christmas
Right after playing for NZ / All-Blacks
I would Cred Brandyn Akana for BOTH FOTUS Coming To Hawai’i
Dan finishing his Junior Season
apparently is getting good coaching,
Considered highly skilled
? Could he be ahead of Isaac at this stage of his career ?
? CAN HE Fulfill the D-1 & PRO Aspirations of The ‘Ohana ?
? CAN He Draw HIS Sister Back to Help Coach Laura In The Process?
Avea says “I’m in his ear Every Day (to join him @ UH…)”
I Trust Brandyn Holds NO Ill Will for Isaac’s or his own UH Treatment
(BUT I’ve NEVER Heard Him Say That…)
————
AS THIS UHMBB Team Learns To Play AND SHOW UP More Mature
Just Like the Previous Team
THEY WILL Get Better At Winning The Games They’re Supposed to
AND Still Pull Surprises Like WINNING Three of Their Last Four ROAD Games
Against The ‘BETTER’ Three Teams…
In The Mean Time, Appreciate The Ride…
Up And Up…
SURE BEATS The Up and Down Cycles of Previous Staffs
Aloha Noah Saturday
Honor Riley Induction into Circle of Honor…and
JIM Leahy, too
———-
?TAKE This Years’ Post-Season BAN?
And They Cannt Mess Up Next Year’s (BY Stalling More)
ONLY NCAA “Relaxation” of Sanctions Left
Would Be ONE or TWO More Scholarships
Mahalo Eagle. One or two scholarships could make a big difference. Do you think M. Thomas is going to return to play next year? Hope so.
Akana: “The dad wanted to send Daniel to experience America, high school academically,” Akana said. “He found out that I was coaching here and that helped.”
“I stay away from (holding grudges). I really enjoyed my time there. There’s a lot of good friends and great people there who I stay in touch with.” (SA, 1-8-2017, Reardon)
Fotu’s sister, after one year at Boise St, is playing on HPU’s team this season. I think i read that Dan was going to play one year at Kahuku; don’t know if that is true.