Associated Press
HONOLULU — Brandon Spearman scored 19 points and Hawaii narrowly avoided blowing another big lead Tuesday, holding on to beat North Dakota 71-66.
Spearman hit three of Hawaii’s nine 3-pointers. Freshman Isaac Fotu added a career-high 17 points off the bench with eight rebounds for the Rainbow Warriors (4-1), who bounced back from Friday’s loss to Illinois on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in overtime.
In that game, Hawaii coughed up a 16-point second-half lead. This one nearly followed the same script, as the Warriors led by as many as 23 before North Dakota (1-3) pulled within 69-66 on Josh Schuler’s three-point play with 1:06 to play. But with a chance to tie, UND’s Jamal Webb turned the ball over, and Spearman’s two free throws sealed the victory.
Schuler and Aaron Anderson led North Dakota with 17 points apiece.
The victory was Hawaii’s first over North Dakota, which had won the only previous meeting between the schools, in 1949.
NORTH DAKOTA (1-3)
Anderson 5-9 2-2 17, Webb 2-13 4-6 9, Allard 0-3 0-0 0, Wilmer 2-6 3-4 7, Schuler 6-11 3-3 17, Antwi 1-5 1-3 4, Brekke 4-9 2-2 10, Archer 0-0 0-0 0, Traylor 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 21-58 15-20 66.
HAWAII (4-1)
Tavita 2-4 0-0 6, Joaquim 4-8 1-2 10, Brereton 2-9 0-0 5, Spearman 7-16 2-2 19, Standhardinger 4-7 1-2 11, Jefferson 0-0 0-0 0, Rozitis 1-3 0-0 2, Pavlovic 0-2 1-2 1, Harper 0-0 0-0 0, Clair 0-1 0-0 0, Fotu 8-12 1-2 17. Totals 28-62 6-10 71.
Halftime—Hawaii 42-27. 3-Point Goals—North Dakota 9-25 (Anderson 5-8, Schuler 2-6, Antwi 1-4, Webb 1-6, Allard 0-1), Hawaii 9-27 (Spearman 3-7, Standhardinger 2-4, Tavita 2-4, Joaquim 1-4, Brereton 1-5, Clair 0-1, Pavlovic 0-2). Fouled Out—Wilmer. Rebounds—North Dakota 39 (Webb 9), Hawaii 36 (Fotu 8). Assists—North Dakota 11 (Webb 6), Hawaii 14 (Tavita 6). Total Fouls—North Dakota 17, Hawaii 18. A—5,203.
