Hawaii men’s basketball: Somber senior night celebration for Eddie Stansberry, Zigmars Raimo after loss to UC Riverside
Senior nights have not gone the way of the Hawaii men’s basketball team of late.
Saturday night’s 49-43 loss to UC Riverside was the Rainbow Warriors’ third straight downer of a result in home finales. UH had its chances, as the teams swapped the lead down the stretch until the Highlanders (16-15, 6-9 Big West) came away with the better late-game execution and points down the stretch.
>> PHOTO GALLERY: HAWAII VS. UC RIVERSIDE
With the loss, UH (16-12, 7-7) dropped to fifth place with two road games to play leading into the Big West tournament. The Rainbow Warriors shot 32 percent (5-for-24, 20.8 percent in the second half) en route to a season low in points. Only Samuta Avea, at 10 points, prevented UH going without a double-digit scorer.
Of course, the senior ceremonies endured. UH sent off four-year forward/center Zigmars Raimo and two-year shooting guard Eddie Stansberry in traditional fashion.
Stansberry was hounded much of the night by Riverside guard Dikymbe Martin and never got going, scoring six points on 1-for-8 shooting. He was able to put that aside afterward, though, with his family from San Francisco joining him on the court.
Eddie Stansberry was a two-year #HawaiiMBB starter since transferring from City College of San Francisco. He’s No. 7 in UH career 3s at 157.
“Even though we go through highs and lows, a moment like this is very high and special.” pic.twitter.com/gu8DcggFAX
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) March 1, 2020
Eddie Stansberry senior shot. #HawaiiMBB pic.twitter.com/TpFvMuYgX3
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) March 1, 2020
Raimo, of Latvia, was joined by his sister and several friends. He scored eight of his nine points in the first half in shooting 4-for-6 with four rebounds in his final game at the Sheriff.
Zigmars Raimo arrived as an unheralded prospect from Latvia and transformed himself into a starter over his 4-year #HawaiiMBB career.
“Could’ve done better, but it’s a celebration. The best is yet to come. Our season is not finished.” pic.twitter.com/CN2F7QbzY0
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) March 1, 2020
Zigmars Raimo senior dunk assisted by old teammate Gibson Johnson #HawaiiMBB pic.twitter.com/fwi31bSOf0
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) March 1, 2020
Coach Eran Ganot remained frustrated with his team’s dwindling production late in the season (the loss was UH’s sixth in eight games) but he gave his seniors a moment.
#HawaiiMBB coach Eran Ganot summed up the contributions of seniors Zigmars Raimo (4 years) and Eddie Stansberry (2) after the 49-43 loss to UC Riverside on senior night.
“Can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for our program, and the people of Hawaii.” pic.twitter.com/gyjE6zHhue
— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) March 1, 2020
UH great Carl English was the honorary game captain. After the senior ceremonies, Dave Reardon caught up to English about the senior night he never got to experience himself.
Disappointing!! One of the worst offensive games in a long time. Should have been pressing & trapping all game to get turnovers. Good defense creates good offense just like Thursday nights win. You can tell Ganot has zero confidence in his 7 footers. Refs were the only reason the game remained close. Be lucky to win a game in the Big West tournament
Following a pattern here. Team gets worse as season wears on. No adjustments in offense. Just keep dribbling away clock and the rush to avoid shot clock violation. Team needs to take good look in mirror and step up his game. Middle to bottom of BWC is not a sterling performance. Extremely disappointing.
Whats wrong with the sound system in the SSA. The powers to be can’t say they don’t know about they were there at the arena. We could here what the seniors were saying in their video and half of the announcements in the game were mumbled. Typical state run system they don’t fix it when it is broke. So sad the President of the university and AD accepts this.
Hate to say this, but we were doing better when Ganot was out
Gman youre right!!!