Fighting off some bad pregame news and then a feisty opponent in UC San Diego, the Hawai’i men’s basketball team prevailed Saturday night, 72-67, in tense Big West Conference action.
A vocal and supportive crowd of 4,842 in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center watched center Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson score a game-high 20 points and grab nine rebounds and Isaac Finlinson add 15 points and four boards as the Warriors improved to 17-5 overall and 9-3 in league play — tied with UC Irvine (9-3) for first place. Former UH guard Tom Beattie scored 14 points and dished three assists to lead the Tritons, who fell to 16-7, 6-7.
Prior to the game, it was announced that Warriors starting point guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor will miss the remainder of the season due to a “turf toe” injury.
More details to come.