Noel Coleman scored 19 points Samuta Avea scored 17 points tonight to help Hawai’i rally past UC San Diego, 69-62, in more exciting Big West Conference men’s basketball action.
A late-awakening but ultimately vocal crowd of 3,030 in SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center watched JoVon McClanahan add 11 points as the Warriors improved to 18-7 overall and 9-4 in league play. Francis Nwaokorie scored a game-high 25 points and Jake Kosakowski added 12 points for the Tritons, who fell to 8-17 and 3-10.
UC San Diego jumped out to a stunning 17-5 lead in the first six minutes, before Coleman hit a 3 to ignite a 16-7 lead capped by Kody Williams’ 3-pointer from the left wing to close it to 24-21 with six minutes remaining.