The Hawaii men's basketball team lost to Fresno State, 80-74, Saturday night - but that game was gravy after the Rainbows gobbled up San Diego State and San Jose State in the first two games of their West Coast road swing.

Still, the sweep was within range - even against the talented but inconsistent Bulldogs at a wild Selland Arena and 10,182 "Red Wave" Fresno State fans.

"It wasn't one of our better games," UH head coach Riley Wallace said last night after the weary team returned to Hawaii. "But they played tough defense. It was really hard to get anything started offensively.

"It was frustrating. It reminded me of the Maryland game."

As usual, Anthony Carter put on a show for the Rainbows - finishing with 28 points, including five 3-pointers. But he didn't get enough help.

Alika Smith had 16 points, but only hit 5-of-14 from the floor. Micah Kroeger was playing with bruised ribs and a sprained wrist, and scored only six points.

Eric Ambrozich was held to six points and Seth Sundberg didn't get untracked against the athletic Bulldogs, as he grabbed just five rebounds and scored nine points.

"We weren't patient enough on offense and started launching some 3s," Wallace said. "They played well - but I think we have a good chance to beat them here."

Overall, the trip was a good one, though, as Hawaii (14-4 overall and 6-2 in the WAC) remained in a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with Colorado State and Fresno State.

"It's not like we're looking up (in the standings)," Wallace said. "We're still there.

"But now we have to beat UNLV (Thursday)."

Wallace said the team will work on its half-court offense the next few days, especially against pressure on the entry pass.

"We also had too many turnovers," Wallace said.

The Rainbows now have five home games and three road games left at the halfway point of their league schedule.

This week they play UNLV and Air Force (Saturday) at the Special Events Arena. Then there are two tough road games in the high altitude of Wyoming (Feb. 13) and Colorado State (Feb. 15).

After that, UH hosts San Diego State (Feb. 19), then plays a tough one at New Mexico (Feb. 22) before wrapping up the regular season at home against Fresno State (Feb. 27) and San Jose State (March 1).

"It's nice to have five games at home and three on the road," Wallace said. "But just because we're playing at home doesn't mean that UNLV and the others will be easy games.

"We'll need to get good crowd support. We can't let any games get away at home like we have done in the past."