Warrior Insider

Sheriff Drammeh scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and made five assists off the bench and Gibson Johnson and Jack Purchase each added 12 points and eight rebounds tonight to help Hawai’i hold off Troy in overtime, 72-67, for the 53rd Annual Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic championship.

A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of about 4,400 watched Brock Stepteau add 10 points — including the go-ahead 3-pointer — as the Warriors improved to 3-0; Troy, an NCAA Tournament qualifier last season, fell to 1-2.

Stepteau’s 3-poointer from the top of the key put UH ahead, 65-62, with 2:44 remaining. After the teams traded free throws for the next couple minutes, Troy gained possession down 70-67 with 25 seconds left, but the Warriors regained possession when Purchased forced a held ball. Drammeh was fouled with 14.8 ticks showing on the clock, and sank both free throws of a double bonus to give Hawai’i some breathing room at 72-67.

Wesley Person then shot an airball from 24 feet on Troy’s next possession, and after a loose ball rebound gave the Trojans another chance, Kevin Baker missed a 3-point attempt and the Warriors’ Leland Green the rebound with two seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Troy jumped out to a 12-7 start in the game’s first five minutes, but Stepteau’s 3-pointer with 14:11 remaining in the half ignited a 14-8 run capped by Purchase’s two free throws which put UH up for good at 21-20, at the eight-minute mark. Stepteau later ended the half with a three-point play to push the Warriors’ lead to 36-28 at the break.

Hawai’i led by as much as 47-32 after Drammeh’s 3-pointer from the left wing with 15:24 left in the game, but the Trojans chipped away and eventually closed the gap to 61-59 on Wesley Person’s two free throws which capped a 12-2 run with 21.8 seconds remaining. Drew Buggs then made one of two free throws to put the Warriors up, 62-59, one second later, but Person then drained a 27-foot 3-pointer from well beyond the top of the key to tie it at 62-62 with three ticks left.

Stepteau’s running 30-footer at the buzzer was just off the mark, forcing overtime.

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

(Game photo courtesy Brandon Flores)

Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic
Monday’s Results
North Dakota 80, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 71
Hawai’i 72, Troy 67

Final standings
Hawai’i 3-0
North Dakota 2-1
Troy 1-2
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0-3