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Warriors hold off Adams State, 87-77

Gibson Johnson scored 19 points and true freshman Samuta Avea added 13 points and five rebounds off the bench tonight to help Hawai’i hold off visiting Adams State, 87-77, in non-conference men’s basketball action.

An estimated crowd of about 3,300 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Leland Green and Brandon Thomas each also add 13 points and Brock Stepteau chip in 12 points as the Warriors improved to 4-1, while the Grizzlies fell to 2-5.

After trailing 70-56 following Avea’s left-handed scoop shot with 6:17 remaining, Mike Thomas scored on a putback 19 seconds later to ignite a stunning 11-0 run capped by Shane Johnson’s pull-up 3-pointer from the right wing which closed it to 70-67 with 4:36 left.

Brock Stepteau then hit a free throw eight seconds later to start a 9-2 run for UH, which pushed the lead 79-69 after Brandon Thomas’ breakaway layup with 2:27 remaining. Adams State could not get closer than eight points the rest of the way.

The Warriors led by just 34-32 late in the first half, but ended the period with a 6-0 run capped by Brandon Thomas’ putback while falling backward with three seconds remaining to give Hawai’i a 40-32 lead at the break.

The Grizzlies closed it to 44-43 on Mike Thomas’ fast break layup with 16:41 left in the game, but Avea responded with a slam dunk and the Warriors steadily built the lead to 70-56 over the next 10 minutes.

Hawai’i’s next game will be its first road game of this season – at Utah on December 2.

More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.

1 Comment

  1. disappointed in schedule of opponents…Adams St. div 2?
    Give them credit, they make their free throws, and keep down fouls, they upset UH by 8 points.
    That Mike Thomas from the Grizzilies, a real man, div 1 type of big. 29 points. wow.. good battle down low..with Gibson.
    Oh well, still predict, UH will probably lose to Utah on the road, and lose 2 games to good teams in the DHC, with Warriors/Bows pulling out one win… go into BigWest play with only 4 losses.
    If the Big West top 3 teams, have great shooting teams.. on their home floors.. could be long season.
    Main thing Warriors, make the Big West tourney final, and play for NCAA berth, bottom line.
    Go Bows !

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