‘Bows seek to protect ball better at home

Overseeing the customary passing drills to start practice, University of Hawaii basketball coach Gib Arnold barked out an emphasis for the afternoon.

"Be crisp with the ball."

After committing 23 turnovers in a loss to Gonzaga on Saturday, reducing their giveaways was among the Rainbow Warriors’ top priorities in preparing for tonight’s home game against Eastern Washington.

"It’s something we need to improve on, so it was an emphasis today, as it will be every day. But we got after them pretty good when we needed to," Arnold said after the session.

The Rainbows (1-1) return to the Stan Sheriff Center for the 7 p.m. matchup with the Eagles (1-2), coming off a 73-54 loss to Gonzaga in Vancouver in which the Bulldogs converted UH turnovers into 34 points.

So sharpening their execution on offense took up a sizable portion of practice a day before facing an Eastern Washington team averaging just over eight steals per game.

"We need to just value the ball. Sometimes we’re too loose with it," Arnold said. "The only way you win games is with that ball. We need shots on the rim, give our big guys a chance to get some offensive rebounds."

The Eagles aren’t particularly imposing inside, but figure to test UH’s perimeter defense tonight.

Under first-year head coach Jim Hayford, EWU has launched close to 29 3-pointers per game so far, making an average of 11.

Junior college transfer Collin Chiverton, a 6-foot-6 forward, opened his EWU career with back-to-back 25-point performances and has drained a team-best 14 3-pointers on 29 attempts.

"We’re going to have to guard them tough out there," UH guard Zane Johnson said. "They have one guy who really gets them up and we have to recognize where he is at all times and just play our defense."

UH and EWU have a common opponent in Gonzaga, both playing the Bulldogs close into the second half before faltering late.

The Eagles also held a nine-point lead in the second half at Oregon last Thursday before losing 73-65.

"I was very impressed with Eastern Washington," Arnold said. "They have five guys who step out and shoot 3s and they’re very quick and athletic.

"There’s times on film where there’s five guys outside the 3-point line. So they’re really going to pull our bigs outside and look to drive and kick."