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UPDATED: CSU Bakersfield stymies Warriors, 60-55

Late lapses and inconsistent shooting throughout the game left the University of Hawai’i basketball team with a frustrating 60-55 home loss to CSU Bakersfield on Friday at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Photo courtesy Brandon Flores / www.brandonfloresphotography.com

The Rainbow Warriors had multiple chances to overtake the Roadrunners in the second half, but were ultimately done in by season lows for points, shooting percentage (.333), 3-pointers (five) and 3-point percentage (.200).

“Tough loss, good battle,” Hawai’i head coach Eran Ganot said. “I’m trying to rack my brain around this a little bit. I think we did a really good job on the glass (but) … they got three straight offensive rebounds late (in the game). That was more a byproduct of a defensive lapse, which we continue to have, this short season, late in games. That’s unfortunate. I hope we continue to live and learn from it.”

Hawai’i dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The Roadrunners, who are in their first season in the Big West, improved to 8-4 and 4-1.

Junior Madut led the Warriors with 12 points and 10 rebounds – his first double-double in a Hawai’i uniform. James Jean-Marie added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, and Mate Colina contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

Hawai’i entered the game averaging 82 points per game, but struggled early and often against the experienced Roadrunners, who started five seniors.

“We had a bad shooting night tonight, something that doesn’t regularly happen with us,” Madut said. “But we got good shots in the end, we just didn’t make them.”

The Warriors actually had a 12-4 lead early in the game before the shooting struggles started.

The Warriors shot just 33 percent (9 for 27) from the field in the first half, including 0 for 9 from 3-point range. What’s more, they converted just 5 of 11 from the free throw line and committed 10 turnovers in the first half.

“I thought in the first half we weren’t flowing at all, and we were playing on our heels offensively,” Ganot said. “I think it was better in the second half, but we missed some good shots. I’ll live with that.”

Photo courtesy Brandon Flores / www.brandonfloresphotography.com

A 10-2 surge by the Roadrunners tied the score at 14-all with 6:48 remaining in the first half. CSUB led by as many as seven (27-20) before taking a 28-23 lead at halftime.

The Warriors appeared to find their rhythm early in the second half when Biwali Bayles and Justin Webster hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the score at 29. The game stayed close the rest of the way, and Hawai’i was finally able to regain the lead with 6:43 remaining when Madut hit a 3-pointers to give the Warriors a momentary 49-47 advantage.

On the ensuing possession, CSUB’s Justin Edler-Davis hit a 3-pointer to put the Roadrunners in front again, 50-49.

The Warriors trailed by one, 56-55, after a 3-pointer by Casdon Jardine with 1:44 remaining. After a CSUB miss, Hawai’i had possession of the ball and less than a minute remaining, but turned it over.

On CSUB’s ensuing possession, the Roadrunners were credited with three offensive rebounds and finished it with a putback by Justin McCall for a 58-55 lead.

Immediately after that, Hawai’i freshman Bayles was whistled for a traveling violation in the backcourt.

“Late game execution, not even being in the right spots,” Ganot lamented. “But we gave ourselves a chance because of our defense and certainly because of our overall rebounding.”

CSUB entered the game leading the Big West in rebounding and rebound margin, but the Warriors out-rebounded the Roadrunners, 37-34. CSUB shot just 41.1 percent overall (23 for 56), including just 33.3 percent (4 for 12) from 3-point range.

“We were right there,” Colina said. “We did the right things on our end, we probably just didn’t shoot a percentage good enough to win a game at 33 percent but we definitely rebounded and defended the way we needed to.”

The teams will meet again on Saturday night in another conference game.

“Perspective wise, it’s a painful feeling that we will use to learn and be ready on a quick turnaround,” Ganot said. “I’m disappointed as I’m sure our guys are, but I’m pretty excited that we get to play (Saturday).”

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Big West Conference
Friday’s Results

Cal State Fullerton at UC Davis, canceled
CSUN at Long Beach State, canceled
UC Riverside 86, at Cal Poly 51
at UC Santa Barbara 69, UC San Diego 52
Cal State Bakersfield 60, at Hawai’I 55

Saturday’s Games
Cal State Fullerton at UC Davis, canceled
CSUN at Long Beach State, canceled
UC Riverside at Cal Poly, 4 p.m. PT
UC San Diego at UC Santa Barbara, 5 p.m. PT
Cal State Bakersfield at Hawai’i, 7 p.m. HT

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