The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team achieved an 89-82 victory over Long Beach State, overcoming an early deficit and maintaining their position in the Big West standings. After a tough loss at UC Irvine, the Rainbow Warriors, now 16-5 and 8-3 in conference, rallied with a 20-4 run led by key performances from Dre Bullock and Isaac Finlinson. Bullock scored a season-high 26 points and secured crucial rebounds, while Finlinson contributed a career-high 19 points, helping the team counter a strong challenge from LBSU's players despite missing their top scorer.

By the Numbers
  • Dre Bullock: 26 points, 9 rebounds (10-of-17 shooting)
  • Isaac Finlinson: 19 points, hitting four consecutive 3-pointers
  • Long Beach State: 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 25 points
Yes, But

Despite the win, there are concerns for UH regarding their reliance on key players like Bullock and Finlinson in critical moments, and the team's defensive lapses allowed LBSU to remain competitive throughout the game.

State of Play
  • UH improved to second place in the Big West with their win, while LBSU fell to 8-15 overall.
  • The Rainbow Warriors showcased a strong second-half performance, shooting 64% and making 8 of 14 three-point attempts.
What's Next

Hawai'i will next host UC San Diego on February 7, aiming to continue their winning streak and capitalize on home-court advantage.

Bottom Line

The Rainbow Warriors need to maintain their momentum after this hard-fought win, focusing on both offensive effectiveness and improving their defensive consistency as they face upcoming conference challenges.