Hawai'i defeats UTEP 66-61
Hawai'i Edges UTEP in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a non-conference matchup that had all the makings of an instant classic, the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors outlasted the visiting UTEP Miners by a margin of five points, 66-61. The game was a testament to the resilience and determination of both teams, with Hawai'i overcoming a four-point deficit at halftime to secure the thrilling victory.
The largest lead of the night belonged to Hawai'i, who took a nine-point advantage in the first half before UTEP stormed back to level the score. However, it was Hawai'i that would ultimately emerge victorious, thanks in large part to a dominant performance from Harry Rouhliadeff, who scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Rouhliadeff's all-around effort was matched by his counterpart Jamal West Jr., who paced UTEP with 12 points and seven rebounds. However, it was Hawai'i's ability to contain West Jr. that ultimately proved decisive, as the Rainbow Warriors limited him to just one three-pointer in the game.
Hawai'i's balanced offense was a key factor in their victory, as they shot 40% from the field and made 6 of 19 three-point attempts. The Miners, meanwhile, struggled with their shooting, converting just 36% of their field goal attempts and making 8 of 22 three-pointers.
The advanced statistics told a similar story to the box score, with Hawai'i's eFG% (46.2%) being nearly identical to UTEP's (46.7%). However, it was Hawai'i's ability to limit UTEP's turnovers and capitalize on their own scoring opportunities that ultimately gave them the edge they needed.
The game's dramatic turn came in the second half, when Hawai'i erased a four-point deficit with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Rainbow Warriors would go on to outscore UTEP by seven points over the final nine minutes, capped off by Rouhliadeff's clutch free throws with just seconds left.
The victory marked a significant win for Hawai'i, which has now improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in non-conference play. The Miners, meanwhile, fell to 4-4 on the season.