71
Nevada dominated the boards and beat host Hawaii 88-79 in a WAC men’s basketball game Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
First-place Nevada improved to 9-1 in the WAC and 20-4 overall. A crowd of around 6,000 saw Hawaii fall to 5-4 and 13-10.
The Wolf Pack held a 37-17 rebounding edge after it had built a 79-69 lead with 3 minutes left.
Deonte Burton was game-high with 20 points and Malik Story had 19. Olek Czyz and Dario Hunt each scored 15, and Jerry Evans Jr. added 13.
Joston Thomas led UH with 18. Hauns Brereton scored 17, Miah Ostrowski added 15 and Vander Joaquim scored 14.
The Wolf Pack never trailed after going up 51-48 on Evans’ 3-pointer with 15:25 left.
Nevada led most the first half, but a late Hawaii surge put the Rainbows in front 39-36 at the break.
UH scored the final six points on Thomas’ layup, Zane Johnson’s basket on a strong baseline drive, and a Thomas dunk off a steal by Johnson and center Joaquim’s pass off the break.
Nevada outrebounded Hawaii 23-9 in the first half, including six offensive boards by Hunt, who totaled 11 caroms before the break.
