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In a comeback that inspires storybooks, the University of Hawaii basketball team authored Saturday night’s 62-61 upset of UC Irvine in SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
When Mate Colina secured UCI forward Collin Welp’s follow shot that failed to fall, it triggered a wild UH celebration, then a referee’s review, before the Rainbow Warriors’ masterpiece was verified. Even before the verdict was announced, UCI coach Russell Turner shouted congratulations to the ’Bows, then stormed off the court toward the visitors’ locker room.
“Eighteen years for me (coaching), that was one of the craziest games I’ve been a part of,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “It was a great college basketball game in terms of the fight (and) heart from both programs on the second night after a hard-fought game that came down to the wire in night one.”
By rebounding from Friday night’s final-possession loss, the ’Bows ended a four-game losing streak at home and beat the Big West leaders for the first time after seven consecutive losses in this series. The ’Bows improved to 5-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big West. The Anteaters are 9-5 and 5-1.
The ’Bows, who hit only one field goal in the extra period, held a 62-61 lead — and possession — when point guard JoVon McClanahan rebounded Dawson Baker’s shot with 35 seconds to play.
The ’Bows worked the ball around, when Junior Madut got the ball and stormed the lane. But his kick-out pass was stolen by UCI’s Andre Henry. Henry went coast to coast but could not connect on his go-ahead attempt. Welp rebounded the miss, but his putback also was not true. Colina then secured the rebound.
“That was a learning experience for me,” Madut said of the turnover. “I have to make better decisions. I’m glad we got the win.”
It was Madut, who redshirted last season after transferring from a junior college, who helped fuel the ’Bows’ comeback. A scoring drought of 11 minutes, 41 seconds turned a six-point UH lead into 36-28 deficit in the second half. Ganot indicated the taxing defensive effort and hustle might have carried over into inaccurate shooting.
But the ’Bows, who were down 55-47 with 2:32 to play, began to chip away. Colina hit a jumper and, with 1:56 to play, Madut parlayed a steal into a slam.
UH, down 57-55, appeared to be doomed when Justin Hemsley was called for an aggressive screen with 5.1 seconds left in regulation. But Madut then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and was fouled.
As he approached the free-throw line, Madut recalled thinking, “go through my routine and sink these free throws.”
His routine? “Hold the ball, take a breath, take two dribbles, shoot the ball,” Madut said.
He connected on both free throws to force overtime.
“I’m proud of them,” Ganot said. “I’m fired up for them to have this moment. And, obviously, this is a new group. To do what we did against the team they did after a loss like that speaks of the potential of this group. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Madut led the way with 22 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Justin Webster contributed 16. Casdon Jardine did not score, but he played tough defense against Welp, and pulled down five rebounds.
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