Warrior Insider

Kris Clyburn and Joel Ntambwe each scored 17 points today to help UNLV pull away from Hawai’i, 73-59, in the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.

A spirited crowd of about 3,800 at the Stan Sheriff Center and national TV audience on ESPNU watched Noah Robotham add 16 points for the Runnin’ Rebels, who improved to 6-4 and advance to tomorrow’s 11:300 a.m. semifinal against Indiana State. Drew Buggs scored 16 points, Mate Colina added 13 points and Eddie Stansberry contributed 12 points for the Warriors, who fell to 6-5 and into the consolation bracket semifinals vs, Colorado (8-2) at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

UH rallied from a 23-10 early deficit to lead 28-26 at halftime, but UNLV outscored the Warriors 24-6 in the first 10 minutes of the second half to take a 50-36 lead and then held off a late rally after Hawai’i closed it to 63-54 on Stansberry’s 3-pointer with 2:41 remaining.

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