A deep breath was what Hawaii needed, and what Hawaii got.

The Rainbow Warriors weathered a furious comeback attempt from Fresno State and held on for a 62-52 victory Thursday  night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of about 4,000 watched the Rainbow Warriors (11-8, 2-5 Western Athletic Conference) build a 20-point halftime lead, only to have the comfortable margin torn down brick by brick on 28 percent shooting in the second half.

Fresno State (7-10, 3-4) surged back into the game with a 12-3 run coming out of the break and drew within five points.

Sophomore center Vander Joaquim answered with eight straight points for the Rainbows to stem the Fresno State push. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior forward Bill Amis had his second straight double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Sophomore forward Joston Thomas returned to the starting lineup with 12 points and freshman guard Bo Barnes busted out of a WAC-long slump with 12 points, all on 3-pointers in the first half.

The Bulldogs suffered their fourth straight WAC loss. UH, meanwhile, has won consecutive WAC games for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Hawaii moved ahead of idle San Jose State for seventh place in the nine-team WAC. UH plays the Spartans tomorrow.