Hawaii tops Clemson, finishes 2-1 in Diamond Head Classic
Hawaii forward Hauns Brereton (21) shoots a reverse layup as Clemson center Catalin Baciu (10) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Clemson guard Tanner Smith (5) shoots a reverse layup as Hawaii forward Joston Thomas (5) defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Honolulu. Hawaii defeated Clemson 75-68. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii guard Jeremiah Ostrowski (11) shoots a layup while being defended by Clemson guard T.J. Sapp (1) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Honolulu. Hawaii defeated Clemson 75-68. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Zane Johnson scored a season-high 27 points to lead Hawaii past Clemson 75-68 in the fifth-place game of the Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center today.
The Rainbow Warriors (7-5) also beat No. 14 Xavier on Friday after losing to Auburn in the first round Thursday.
UH has won five of its last six games.
The Tigers (7-6) led 34-31 at halftime. But UH scored the first nine points of the second half. The rally was capped by one of Johnson’s six 3-pointers. He hit another after Clemson had closed it to 40-39, and UH’s lead was never smaller than four points the rest of the way.
Vander Joaquim added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Hawaii, and Hauns Brereton pitched in 10 points.
Andre Young led Clemson with 14 points. Devin Booker contributed 13. Tanner Smith scored 10.
