Warrior Insider

The University of Hawai’i basketball team couldn’t make shots consistently in a 64-60 road loss at Long Beach State on Saturday.

The Rainbow Warriors shot just 33.3 percent (20 for 60) from the field, including just 25 percent (7 for 28) from 3-point range as they lost for the fifth time in the last six game, including twice to the 49ers.

Hawai’i dropped to 15-11 overall and 6-6 in the Big West Conference. The Beach improved to 10-18 and 5-7.

Eddie Stansberry scored a game-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers, for the Warriors. Justi Webster added 15 points and Zigmars Raimo contributed eight points and nine rebounds.

The Warriors trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half, but made a late run to make the final score respectable.

Hawai’i took an early 18-12 lead after Webster converted a free throw following a technical foul assessed on Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson. However, the 49ers responded with a 13-2 run over the next 2:25 to take a 25-20 lead.

The Beach closed the first half with a 7-0 run to take a 34-24 lead at intermission. Hawai’i shot just 28.6 percent (8 for 28) from the field in the first half, including 21.4 percent (3 for 14) from 3-point range. In contrast, the 49ers shot 44 percent (11 for 25) from the field, including 62.5 percent (5 for 8) from 3-point range.

The Warriors were not able to make it close in the second half. The 49ers increased their lead to 52-36 after Chance Hunter drained a 3-pointer with 9:40 remaining.

Hawai’i staged a late rally and got as close as 62-58 with 18.8 seconds remaining, but the 49ers converted two free throws to keep it out of reach.

Michael Carter III led the Beach with 15 points.

The Warriors will return to Honolulu this week for conference home games against Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. The game against UC Riverside on February 29 is the final home game of this season.

More details will be reported as it becomes available.