Big West Basketball: Hawaii vs. Fullerton

Hawaii surged to a 70-59 victory over Cal State Fullerton tonight.

> At 16-11 overall, UH clinches a winning season.

> At 7-6 in league play, UH clinches a berth in the Big West Tournament.

> UH forced 22 turnovers.

> Drew Buggs finished with 20 points.

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Hawaii leads 38-36 at the intermission. Of note:

> Drew Buggs leads the ‘Bows with 12 points. It’s a special night. The ‘Bows’ pink warmup shirts are honoring “Mrs. Buggs” — Buggs’ mother, Mary — who died of cancer this past summer.

> The Titans have found offense from the predictable (Brandon Kamga, who has 10 points) and unheralded (Johnny Wang, whose 12 first-half points ties his season high for overall points).

* * * * *

The ‘Bows expanded the rotation, and found Mate Colina, who made his first appearance in five games. Colina hit a left-handed layup on a backdoor feed from Zigmars Raimo and forced a turnover on a double-team trap.

Drew Buggs drove in for a layup for his 10th point to give UH the 32-31 lead with 4:01 left in the first half.

* * * * *

At the third media timeout, it’s tied at 24.

UH’s Drew Buggs has eight points. CSF’s Brandon Kamga, who is averaging 19.7 points in the last 11 games, has 10 points.

* * * * *

The ‘Bows tie it at 15 on Eddie Stansberry’s reverse layup ahead of the second media timeout. Stansberry was fouled on the shot, and the ‘Bows can take the lead when play resumes. ‘Bows are on a 7-0 run.

* * * * *

The Titans raced to leads of 7-2, 9-4 and, at the first media timeout, 11-6 (on Johnny Wang’s jump hook).

The ‘Bows opened with a small lineup, with three guards, Samuta Avea at the four, and Zigmars Raimo in the post. But they abandoned the strategy 3 minutes into the game.

* * * * *

It’s down to the wire for the Rainbow Warriors, who close their home schedule this week. They face Cal State Fullerton tonight — 49 days after they last met — and UC Riverside on Saturday’s senior night.

The ‘Bows are 6-6 in the Big West, and will clinch a winning regular season with a victory tonight. They also would claim a berth in the Big West Tournament.

During warmups, the ‘Bows are wearing pink shirts with “Mrs. Buggs” on the back. Point guard Drew Buggs died this past summer from cancer.