Wow! Cal State Fullerton Just STOLE Victory from Hawaii - Refs To Blame? (2/11/23)

The Hawaiʻi Men's Basketball team came back from being down 18 points in the second half at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday against the Cal State Fullerton Titans, but it was too little too late. Fullerton held on, 52-51. It was a tale of bad half good half, as UH got out to a hot start with two triples by Noel Coleman and Kamaka Hepa, but the 'Bows ultimately lost their early 6-0 lead due to terrible shooting. UH missed shot after shot after shot, ultimately being held to just four made field goals, an egregious 11 turnovers committed, and trailed 31-15 at the break. The woes continued early in the second half, but UH did not quit. Fullerton's controversial defense, and the early hole UH found themselves in proved to be too much. For the second game in a row, Beon Riley did not play due to a lower leg injury. The 'Bows started finding their shots as the game wore on, but Fullerton made extra field goals to keep Hawaiʻi back. Fullerton also got away with a goaltending call in the second half after Kody Williams missed a triple, and a CSF player touched the ball at the same time as it hit the rim. In the final 15 seconds, UH had three chances to win. JoVon McClanahan's layup missed, then Hepa's tip-in missed, and Samuta Avea's last heave was also no good. Despite only three turnovers committed and winning the second half, 36-22, it was not enough for UH. Hepa led the way with 16 pts., but Avea came up big with 12 pts. and a game-high 17 rebounds in the loss. UH now falls to 18-8 overall and 9-5 in conference play. They're now in a tie for third with UC Riverside and Long Beach State. UH travels on the road against Long Beach State on Saturday, Feb. 18, and against CSU Bakersfield on Monday, Feb. 20.