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.
“I’m just really appreciative and humbled by the win, and how we’re playing at this point with the adversity we’re dealing with,” Hawai’i coach Eran Ganot said. “Give UC San Diego credit, we’re very pleased with the win because of the context of who we’re playing against and, not surprised that it was a battle. Much respect, (they’re) well-coached. I also want to thank our fans, who were tremendous. We really appreciate it.”
The Warriors jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes, with Johnson scoring nine of those points, and led 19-9 seven minutes in before Hudson Mayes scored on a layup to ignite a 17-8 run capped by Aiden Burke’s 3-pointer which closed it to 27-26 at the six-minute mark.
UH held firm and took a 34-32 lead into halftime, but the Tritons opened the second half with a 13-6 surge culminating in Alex Chaikin’s baseline jumper to put UCSD ahead, 45-40, with 13:34 remaining.
After Chaikin scored a layup on an inbounds pass to make it 47-42, with 12:46 on the clock, Finlinson answered with a layup to start a 20-5 run capped by Hunter Erickson’s 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 62-52 lead with 3:22 left.
The Tritons clawed back and closed it to 69-67 on Leo Beath’s 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining, but Erickson and Dre Bullock converted three of four free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
“Especially with a team like that — kind of run and jump, frantic — towards the end, we just gotta be solid,” Johnson said. “We have to be mentally solid, physically solid … play off two feet, rip through, be strong with the ball, make solid passes, meet the ball on catches. Just the fundamental things that really seem easy, seem obvious. But that’s why they’re necessary.”
Hawai’i will next play at Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday.
Big West Conference Standings
UC Irvine 9-3
HAWAI’I 9-3
UC Santa Barbara 9-4
UC Davis 8-5
Cal State Northridge 8-5
Cal State Fullerton 7-6
UC San Diego 6-7
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 5-8
Long Beach State 4-8
UC Riverside 3-10
Cal State Bakersfield 2-11