UH hoops team bests Prairie View A&M
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
The Hawaii Warriors forward Justin Hemsley (42) and guard Leland Green (0) reacted after Brocke Stepteau (2) made three points during the second half of tonight’s game.
The Hawaii basketball team turned to its free-throw shooting to survive a second-half field-goal drought of over 12 minutes and turned back Prairie View A&M 72-60 tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH (5-2) opened its seven-game December homestand by shooting 31-for-38 (81.6 percent) at the foul line in front of 2,715 fans, compared to the Panthers’ 10-for-23 (43.5 percent).
Point guards Drew Buggs (17 points) and Brocke Stepteau (16) had season-high scoring efforts and forward Mike Thomas had his second double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
After Prairie View closed to within four points late, Stepteau hit a deep 3-pointer to beat the shot clock and end the 12:11 field-goal drought.
The Panthers (2-6) of the SWAC outscored UH off of turnovers 20-7, aided by a season-high 19 giveaways by UH. Guard Gary Blackston led Prairie View with 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting, while Zachary Hamilton added 19 points.
UH led by seven points at halftime, 36-29.
At halftime, UH athletic director David Matlin presented St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong with a retired No. 14 baseball jersey.
