JAMM AQUINO / [email protected]
Hawaii center Isaac Johnson (20) drives to the basket over UC San Diego forward Bol Dengdit (7) on Saturday.
The Hawaii basketball team held off UC San Diego’s frenetic comeback attempt for a 72-67 victory at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center tonight.
A crowd of 4,842 saw the Rainbow Warriors improve to 17-5 overall and 9-3 in the Big West. The ’Bows moved into a first-place tie with UC Irvine.
The Tritons closed within 69-67 on Leo Beath’s 3 with 13.5 seconds to play.
Hunter Erickson then made one of two free throws to extend the ’Bows’ lead to 70-67.
The Tritons tried to work for a tying shot. But UH’s Isaiah Kerr’s defense on Aidan Burke resulted in a missed 3 from the left corner. Dre Bullock grabbed the rebound for UH with 3.2 seconds left. Bullock was fouled, and his two free throws ended the scoring.