Hawaii basketball team loses Diamond Head Classic opener to UNLV
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii center Mate Colina goes to the basket past UNLV Rebels forward Diong Mbacke during the opening round at the Diamond Head Classic.
UNLV used a huge second-half run to seize its first-round matchup with host Hawaii in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, 73-59, in front of a crowd of 3,172 today at the Stan Sheriff Center.
UH (6-5) shot 33.3 percent in dropping its opening game in its nationally televised holiday tournament for the third straight year, setting up a consolation semifinal matchup with Colorado (8-2) of the Pac-12 at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Buffaloes lost 72-67 to Indiana State in the first game today.
Freshman center Mate Colina was one of the few bright spots for the Rainbow Warriors; he scored a season-high 13 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 from the foul line. But the 7-footer could not stop the Runnin’ Rebels (6-4) from compiling a 44-29 advantage on the backboards.
Point guard Drew Buggs scored 16 points and had seven assists for UH.
The Rainbows started sophomore wing Samuta Avea, their most athletic player, to counter the Rebels’ athleticism, while guard Brocke Stepteau came off the bench for the first time this season.
UH struggled at both ends early against UNLV’s length. The Rebels made three of their first six 3-point attempts and jumped out to a 23-10 lead.
Coach Eran Ganot inserted Colina and the big Australian had a quick impact, scoring eight points on 3-for-3 shooting during an 18-3 run to close out the half. UH led 28-26 at halftime.
The ‘Bows took a five-point lead early in the second half, but that was short-lived.
UNLV started working the ball inside, plus a couple and used a 14-0 run to claim a double-digit lead. The run became 23-3, and the Rebels’ lead 18, before the ‘Bows stopped the bleeding.
Eddie Stansberry’s steal and 3-pointer made it a nine-point game with under three minutes left. Buggs’ layup made it an eight-point game with two minutes left but Kris Clyburn (17 points) tomahawk dunked it in transition and Noah Robotham (16 points) followed with a 3 to seal the outcome with 1:14 left.
Senior guard Sheriff Drammeh, who was absent from UH’s last game while suspended for a violation of team rules, came off the bench in the second half and played three scoreless minutes.
