Warriors rally past Long Beach State, 78-76
Justin Webster scored 16 points and JoVon McClanahan added 13 points off the bench tonight to help Hawai’i rally past visiting Long Beach State, 78-76, in fast-paced Big West men’s basketball action at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Mate Colina contributed 10 points and five rebounds off the bench to help the Warriors improve to 9-8 overall and 7-8 in the Big West. Chance Hunter poured in a game-high 31 points and Isaiah Washington added 17 points for the Beach, which fell to 5-8, 4-5.
The two teams will run it back at 5 p.m. Saturday, with statewide broadcasts on Spectrum Sports (Channel 12) and ESPN1420AM radio. Out-of-state viewers can watch a live stream at BigWest.tv.
Long Beach State led 31-15 with six minutes remaining in the first half and 53-40 five minutes into the second, but UH chipped away and eventually tied it at 57-57 on Webster’s drive-and-drop with just under 11 minutes left.
The Warriors took their first lead a minute later on the 5-foot-11 McClanahan’s drive and lefty layup over some trees to make it 61-60.
The Beach then took the lead back and later led, 69-65, after Joe Hampton’s putback with 5:21 remaining, but Justin Hemsley’s 15-foot jumper from the left elbow dropped in to start an 11-2 run that put Hawai’i ahead, 76-71, after McClanahan’s 15-foot jumper from the right baseline with 1:15 showing on the clock.
Long Beach State got as close as 78-76 on Michael Carter III’s two free throws with 11.8 seconds left and regained possession four seconds later after a Warrior turnover, but Hunter’s 3-point attempt from the right wing was on line but fell short as time expired.
More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.
Friday’s Games
UC Davis 69, at Cal Poly 61
at UC Irvine 80, UC San Diego 55
at CSU Bakersfield 84, CSUN 58
UC Santa Barbara 72, at UC Riverside 68
at Hawai’I 78, Long Beach State 76
Saturday’s Games
UC Davis at Cal Poly, 2:00 p.m. PT
UC San Diego at UC Irvine, 4:00 p.m. PT
CSUN at CSU Bakersfield, 7:00 p.m. PT
UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside, 7:00 p.m. PT
Long Beach State at Hawai’i, 5:00 p.m. HT
