[ RAINBOW BASKETBALL ]
Benching doesn’t
hurt Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap was late for a team bus yesterday. But the nation's leading rebounder didn't forget to bring his game to the Stan Sheriff Center last night.
The Hawaii basketball team has benefited from opponents losing key players for discipline reasons several times this season. Not last night, though. The Bulldogs pulled out a 62-61 victory -- their first ever over UH in Hawaii -- despite Millsap not starting and the benching of starter JueMichael Young (9.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game) and reserve Bruce Edwards for breaking team rules.
From the time Millsap got on the court about three minutes into the contest, he terrorized the Rainbows, leading LaTech with 19 points and eight boards. The rebound total is the lowest in a game for Millsap, who entered the game averaging 12.8. But he was still dominant at times.
"Paul's a tremendous freshman," said Bulldogs coach Keith Richard, who declined comment on why the players were disciplined. "I thought he made a bunch of big offensive plays and scored a bunch of tough buckets. It took that to win this game. Late in the game it became making plays on both ends. Both teams wanted to win bad. Both were playing hard defensively."
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Julian Sensley was fouled by Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap during the second half of last night's game.
Corey Dean hit the game-winner, a 12-footer with 47 seconds left after a Hawaii turnover. Point guard Donnell Allick said Dean wasn't necessarily the first choice to make a clutch shot, but he was the right man at the right time.
"He was in the rhythm of the game. He came up big for us," Allick said. "The way the flow of the game was going everyone contributed to this win."
Allick (13 points, five assists) said defense was the key to LaTech's win.
"We defended tonight. Playing Hawaii, they're a patient team. Unlike ourselves, we like to get up and down the floor. So we had to sacrifice a lot of pushes to get through this game. We had to be more patient, and we were and it paid off. They spent a lot of time on defense themselves."
Millsap said it was important for the Bulldogs to cut off UH's passing lanes.
"The key was coming in to pressure them," he said. "We knew we had to pressure them because they're a good passing team. We wanted to force a couple of turnovers."
Young smiled and embraced his teammates afterward despite being in the doghouse.
"Even though I couldn't help them, it feels good that we pulled one out here. Corey and D-Nice (Allick) and Paul, they all played big tonight."
Richard said it's a good springboard for the final stretch of the WAC season.
"At times, not the whole game, we really did guard them, particularly the last few possessions," he said. "I am so proud of our team. They rallied in light of some adversity with some players."
Carter country: Former UH star guard Anthony Carter was honored during the first half.
Carter, the 1997 WAC Player of the Year who played in the NBA for the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, received a standing ovation when he was introduced.
Doing cartwheels: U.S. Olympic gymnastic coach Bela Karolyi spoke to the crowd at halftime, talking up the Pacific Alliance International competition to take place here in April.
Tickets for military: Military personnel and their dependents can attend three UH sports events free this month.
The games are Tuesday's women's basketball game against Boise State, next Friday's baseball game against UH-Hilo and the Feb. 26 men's volleyball game against UCLA.
Tickets must be obtained before game day. They can be picked up at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office. A valid military ID may be used for the owner of the ID and as many as three dependents.
"We're proud to count a substantial military population as faithful fans," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said. "We hope to get a good turnout so that we can show our appreciation for all that they contribute to our community."
