Kamaka Hepa scored 19 points and made a game-securing play in the closing seconds to lead the University of Hawai’i basketball team to a 70-67 road win at Long Beach State on Saturday.
A crowd of 1,715 at the Walter Pyramid watched the Rainbow Warriors hold off a furious late rally from the Beach to improve to 19-8 overall and 10-5 in the Big West Conference. LBSU, which trailed by 13 points with less than five minutes remaining, dropped to 15-13 overall and 9-7 in the conference.
The Warriors won both regular-season games against the Beach this season, and have not lost consecutive games this season.
Bernardo da Silva scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Samuta Avea and JoVon McClanahan added nine points each for the Warriors.
Da Silva’s free throw with 4:41 remaining gave Hawai’i a seemingly commanding 64-51 lead, but the Beach then went on a 15-2 surge to tie the game at 66-all on a 3-pointer by Jadon Jones with 1:27 remaining.
Warriors’ 2022-23 season is officially over.
McClanahan scored on a driving shot on the ensuing possession to put the Warriors back in front, 68-66.
The Beach had a chance to tie it again when Marcus Tsohonis was fouled and had a chance for two free throws with 2.9 second remaining. He made the first, but missed the second.
Hepa secured the rebound, got fouled, and proceeded to drain two free throws to clinch the win.
Long Beach State entered the game ranked second in the nation in rebounding, but the Warriors won the battle of the boards, 32-28. It is the second time that Hawai’i out-rebounded the Beach this season.
AJ George led the Beach with 20 points, and Lassina Traore added 15 points.
Hawai’i will remain on the road for a BWC game at CSU Bakersfield on Monday.
More details will be reported later.