Warrior Insider

Freshman Bernardo Da Silva scored a career-high 17 points  including the go-ahead layup with 1:29 remaining — to help Hawaii’ rally past Texas-El Paso, 67-63, in the opening round of the 11th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.

A vocal and intense crowd of about 4,200 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Samuta Avea add 16 points and eight rebounds as the Warriors improved to 8-3 and advanced to Monday’s 6 p.m. semifinal against Washington. UTEP, which was led by Bryson Williams’ game-high 33 points, will face Ball State at 8:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

The Miners had led, 37-31, at halftime and kept the lead for most of the second half, until Da Silva tied it at 58-58 with a slam dunk at the 3:09 mark. he was immediately called for a technical foul (taunting), however, and Williams gave the Miners the lead back wth two free throws.

But Avea scored a layup to tie it again at 60-60, and Da Silva put the Warriors ahead for good at 62-60 with his layup with 1:29 left. After a UTEP miss at the other end, Buggs scored a layup to make it 64-60 with 37.8 seconds remaining. Williams closed it to 64-63 with a 3-pointer from the left wing with 22.8 seconds left, and after Buggs made two free throws to push the lead to 66-63 one tick later, Jordan Lathon lost the ball out of bounds while trying to drive past Buggs, and Buggs effectively sealed the victory with a free throw to make it 67-63 at 15.2 seconds remaining.

Daryl Williams’ 3-point attempt from well beyond the top of the key was an airball, and UH grabbed the rebound to clinch the win.

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

Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic
Sunday’s Results
Houston 81, Portland 56
Georgia Tech 74, Boise State 60
Washington 85, Ball State 64
Hawai’i 67, UTEP 63

Monday’s Games
11:30 a.m. – Portland vs. Boise State
2:00 p.m. – Houston vs. Georgia Tech
6:00 p.m. – Hawai’i vs. Washington
8:30 p.m. – Ball State vs. UTEP