Basket Bows lose, but will play again at home

By Fred Guzman

Normally, yesterday’s loss to San Jose State in the first round of the WAC basketball tournament would have marked a heartbreaking end to the season for Hawaii.

But thanks in part to a dramatic turnaround for the program under first-year coach Gib Arnold coupled with an assist from former UH coach Riley Wallace, the Bows will play another day.

On Tuesday, Hawaii will host Portland in a first-round game in the post-season CollegeInsider.com Tournament. A win would keep the Bows home for a second-round game on Friday.

Wallace serves as chairman of the event’s selection committee.

Hawaii will be seeking to rebound from a painful 75-74 loss to San Jose State.

Initially, UH appeared to have won the game on a last-second tip-in by Bill Amis. Upon further review, the basket was waved off because time had expired before the ball left his hand.

Adrian Oliver had 29, including the go-ahead 18-foot jumper with five seconds left to as the Spartans, avenged two earlier losses to UH.

Amis led Hawaii with 23 points. Miah Ostrowski had eight assists and no turnovers. Joston Thomas scored 16 in 16 minutes off the bench.

But it wasn’t enough for the Bows to overcome their dismal 18 for 30 shooting from the free throw line.

WAHINE HOOPS: The Rainbow Wahine got off to a great start in Wednesday’s opening round of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament.

Hawaii jumped out to an early 18-9 lead. But New Mexico State rallied for a one-point lead at intermission and then totally dominated the second half en route to a 71-59 victory.

That closed out UH’s season – the second under head coach Dana Dias-Takahara – with an 11-19 season.

UH forwards Breanna Arbuckle and Kamilah Jackson each posted double-doubles in the loss. It was Jackson’s 13th of her freshman season.