Hawai'i's strong performance on the road led to an 89-82 victory over Long Beach State at the Walter Pyramid. The Rainbow Warriors were fueled by Dre Bullock's impressive 26 points and 9 rebounds, which was the difference-maker in the game. CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Hawai'i winning by 10.5 points, and although the margin was closer than expected, the predicted winner was correct.
The first half saw Hawai'i take a 36-31 lead, with Bullock scoring 12 points to pace the Rainbow Warriors. Long Beach State's Petar Majstorovic kept his team in the game, scoring 11 points in the first half. The 49ers' Shaquil Bender also made his presence felt, scoring 12 points in the first half to keep the deficit manageable.
In the second half, both teams continued to light up the scoreboard. Hawai'i's Isaac Finlinson and Isaac Johnson combined for 23 points in the half, while Long Beach State's Majstorovic and Bender scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Despite the strong effort from the 49ers, Hawai'i's balanced attack and rebounding edge allowed them to maintain their lead throughout the half.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Majstorovic finished with 22 points and 5 rebounds, while Bender added 22 points of his own. However, it was not enough to overcome the strong performance from Bullock and the Rainbow Warriors. Hawai'i's ability to score from multiple positions and control the glass ultimately led to their 7-point victory.
The win improves Hawai'i's record to 16-5, while Long Beach State falls to 8-15. This game was classified as a Quadrant 3 game for Long Beach State and a Quadrant 4 game for Hawai'i, which may have implications for their tournament resumes. For Long Beach State, the loss is another setback in a season that has been marked by inconsistency. For Hawai'i, the win is a solid addition to their resume, but the fact that it was a Quadrant 4 game means it may not carry as much weight as other victories.
As the season enters its final stretch, Hawai'i want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament chances. With a current net ranking of 94, the Rainbow Warriors are in a good position to make a push for a postseason berth. However, they must continue to perform well in their remaining games to solidify their position. The win over Long Beach State is a positive step, but it is just one part of a larger resume that will be evaluated by the tournament committee.