HONOLULU — Hawaii’s men’s basketball team defeated Cal Poly 68-55, avoiding an 0-3 start in the Big West and snapping the Mustangs of their 42nd consecutive loss in three consecutive BWC regular season seasons.
On Saturday night, a crowd of 3,328 (4,763 tickets sold) watched the Rainbow Warriors’ superior size dictate a slow pace against the nation’s No. 1 team in fastest shots per possession. .
Forward Gitis Nemeiksa had 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and guard Tom Beatty had 15 points for California State (9-5, 1-2 Big West). Center Tanner Christensen achieved his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Cal Poly (6-10, 0-4) averaged 84.3 points per game under first-year coach Mike DeGeorge, a former coach at Division II Colorado Mesa. The Mustangs were held to their lowest total of the season, nearly 30 points below average. They had scored at least 80 points in five straight games, including Thursday’s 98-89 loss to UC Irvine.
Cal Poly was held to 33.8 percent shooting, including 22.6 percent from 3-point range (7-of-31). UH converted 45.1% of its attempts.
San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Against a tired Mustangs in overtime at Central Stadium, the University of California came back from an aggressive first half with a 5-point lead and turned on the Jets with a 15-2 run after intermission. Ta. Thursday night on the California coast.
The Mustangs missed their first nine shots of the game, shooting 25 percent in the first half, and UH led 27-22 at intermission. Beatty scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting during the period.
Freshman guard Aaron Hankin-Clator hit his first 3-point shot of the season in the second half.
Also in attendance at the game was new University President Wendy Hensel, who replaced David Lassner on January 1st.
Note: This story will be updated.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. Contact him at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
