Warrior Insider

Add another memory to the 100 seasons of University of Hawai’i basketball. Eddie Stansberry drained a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining to give the Rainbow Warriors a thrilling 76-75 victory over UC Davis on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Stansberry led the Warriors with 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and Zigmars Raimo and Justin Hemsley added 14 each.

Hawai’i improved to 13-6 overall and remained tied for first place in the Big West Conference at 4-1. UC Davis dropped to 8-13 and 2-3.

Hawai’i opened the game with leads of 9-3 and 16-9, but the Aggies responded with a 10-0 surge to take a momentary 19-16 lead with 11:22 remaining in the first half.

The Warriors regained control with a 13-4 run to take a 31-26 lead with 5:53 remaining. The run included a five-point play – Stansberry drained a 3-pointer, and UCD’s Ade Adebayo was called for a foul while positioning for a rebound. Hawai’i received possession of the ball, and Hemsley scored off an assist from Buggs.

The Warriors eventually took a 42-38 lead at intermission, with Stansberry (11) and Hemsley (10) combining for 21 of the points. UCD kept it close behind the shooting of Stefan Gonzalez, who shot 6 for 7 from 3-point range in the first half for 18 points.

Hawai’i increased its lead to eight early in the second half, but the Aggies used a 9-0 run to take a 55-54 lead with 12:13 remaining.

The score was tied at 61 with 8:36 remaining, but UCD then went on a 10-1 run to seize a 71-62 lead.

But with dozens of former UH players and coaches in attendance in celebration of 100 seasons of UH basketball, the Warriors refused to give in. A layup by Stansberry off a nifty assist from Drew Buggs capped a 10-1 Hawai’i surge that put the Warriors back in front, 73-72 with 1:52 remaining.

Hawai’i played without starting forwards Bernardo da Silva and Samuta Avea, who both were unavailable due to injuries.

The Warriors will remain at home for another Big West game on February 1, when they host CSUN.

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

Big West Conference
Saturday’s Results
at UC Santa Barbara 65, UC Riverside 63
at UC Irvine 74, Cal Poly 67
at Cal State Fullerton 82, CSUN 75
at Hawai’i 76, UC Davis 75