HONOLULU — The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team pushed Nevada into the final minute before falling short in a 72-66 loss on Sunday at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
After a closely contested first half, Nevada opened up an eight-point lead at the 13:14 mark of the second half before the Rainbow Warriors (7-2) rallied to tie it up twice, the last coming at 62-62 with 3:36 remaining. After Nevada reclaimed the lead, UH twice closed to within a point and trailed by two with possession with 19 seconds left. But turnovers stymied UH’s comeback and the ‘Bows dropped their first home game of the season.
UH forward Bernardo da Silva posted 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Guard Noel Coleman also finished with 17 points. Guard Matthue Cotton hit two early 3-pointers and added eight points and forward Justin McKoy also contributed eight points and five rebounds.
Five players scored in double-digits for Nevada (9-1) led by guard Jarod Lucas’ 16 points and guard Kenan Blackshear added 12.
Facing their toughest home test of the season, the ‘Bows led 37-36 after an entertainingly close first half. The opening six minutes were fast-paced with the teams combining for 34 points. There were 10 lead changes in the first half and the ‘Bows led at the break despite shooting just 36 percent in the first frame. UH led for the majority of the first half and by as many as six.
The game was tied 38-38 before the Wolf Pack went on a 12-4 run to take its largest lead of the game at 50-42. Down 59-53, UH went on a 6-0 run and tied it up on a Coleman layup with 5:39 left.
Da Silva tied it again at 62-62 with a bucket in the paint at the 3:36 mark before Lucas answered to give Nevada the lead again. UH trailed 68-66 with 49 seconds left and came up with a stop when center Mor Sek blocked a shot to force a shot-clock violation with 19 seconds left. But Nevada’s Daniel Foster came up with a steal on the other end and the Wolf Pack added to the lead from the free throw line to hang on for the win.
Nevada entered the team among the nation’s best in getting to the free throw line. UH actually out-paced the Wolf Pack at the line going 25 for 36 to Nevada’s 19 for 23.
The Rainbow Warriors and Nevada now look ahead to the 2023 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Dec. 21, 22 and 24. UH enters as the tournament’s defending champion and begin its quest for another title versus Portland on Thursday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
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