Warriors hold off Rhode Island for fifth place, 68-60
Zigmars Raimo scored 19 points and Drew Buggs added 12 points and eight rebounds today to help Hawai’i hold off Rhode Island, 68-60, for fifth place in the 10th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.
A sparse-but-spirited Christmas morning crowd of about 2,200 watched Brocke Stepteau and Eddie Stansbery each add 11 points as the Warriors improved to 8-5. Jeff Dowtin scored 17 points and Cyril Langevin added 11 points for the Rams, who fell to 6-5.
In a tight game throughout. UH finally took the lead for good at 52-51 on Stansberry’s 3-pointer with 6:20 remaining and eventually went up 59-53 after two free throws by Stepteau with 4:08 to go. Rhode Island closed it to 60-58 on Christian Thompson’s fadeaway bank shot from eight feet out with 2:23 left, but Stepteau drove in for a layup off from a tricky angle on the right side to make it 62-58 with 54.6 seconds remaining and Stansberry converted all four of his free throw attempts down the stretch to seal the victory.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic
Tuesday’s Results
7th Place: Colorado 68, Charlotte 53
5th Place: Hawai’i 68 Rhode Island 60
3rd Place: UNLV vs. Bucknell
Championship: TCU vs. Indiana State
