Warriors score road rout at CSUN, 65-46
Mike Thomas and Drew Buggs posted double-doubles to lead the University of Hawai’i to a resounding 65-46 road victory over CSUN on Saturday at the Matadome in Northridge, Calif.
Thomas, a senior forward, had 24 points and 11 rebounds; Buggs, a freshman guard, had 11 points and a career-best 11 assists.
The Rainbow Warriors led the game from start to finish, and was not really challenged in the second half. Hawai’i improved to 10-5 overall and 1-1 in the Big West Conference.
It was Hawai’i’s seventh consecutive victory over CSUN, and the Warriors also improved to 5-0 following a loss this season.
The Matadors, who are the lowest-rated team in the RPI rankings, dropped to 3-12 overall and 0-1 in the Big West.
Thomas shot 10 for 11 from the field and 4 for 5 on free throws. He had 18 points and six rebounds in the first half, when the Warriors established control of the game.
After allowing Long Beach State to shoot 63.3 percent from the field in a loss on Thursday, Hawai’i limited CSUN to 28.0 percent field goal shooting. The Warriors shot 47.2 percent, and had 19 assists on their 25 field goals.
The Warriors raced to a 14-2 lead to open the game, with Sheriff Drammeh (five) and Thomas (four) combining for nine of the early points. They increased the lead to 19-4 following a 3-pointer by Brocke Stepteau that came immediately off a highlight reel blocked shot by Thomas.
A breakaway dunk by Thomas pushed the Hawai’i lead to 25-7 with 9:06 remaining in the first half. The Warriors led by as many as 21, and eventually took a 38-24 lead at halftime.
Hawai’i scored the first five points of the second half, and turned it into a rout a few minutes later.
Gibson Johnson added eight points and 10 rebounds, and Drammeh scored eight point for the Warriors.
The Warriors are scheduled to return to Honolulu on Sunday, and their next four games will be at home. They will host Cal Poly on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
More details will be reported later.
(Game photos courtesy Warren Haraki)
Good, at least split on road, and sweep home games, UH will be in contention for Big West regular and Conference tournament titles. I like their very intelligent defense. That and working the ball around to open man. Still need to hit free throws, and consistent timely 3 ball will get them to a dance.
Hawaii, if they can be annual post season participants over 6 years or so, that is foundation for Best in the Pacific. The rest of Big West, I watched some of the top third of teams, very competitive , no team seems to dominate, spurts here and there, whomever catches fire in April. will go dancing for sure.
Eran and team, seem to be on course for 20 plus wins, attendance at home games disappointing, however, team will win at SSC