RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii's Jared Dillinger and Boise State's Tyler Tiedeman pursued a loose ball in the first half of last night's game.

Sour sendoff for seniors

Rallies fizzle as 'Bows lose fourth straight

A spirited Hawaii comeback fell just short last night as the Rainbow Warriors closed the home schedule with a 78-71 loss to Boise State at the Stan Sheriff Center.

On senior night, Hawaii twice cut into double-digit deficits to hang with the Western Athletic Conference-leading Broncos. The Rainbows trailed by 14 in the first half and 18 in the second before fighting back to within three in the final minute. But they couldn't quite get over the hump and dropped their fourth straight.

Riley Luettgerodt led the Rainbows (11-16, 7-7 WAC) with a season-high 20 points in his final game at the Sheriff Center. Fellow senior Matt Gibson hit for 17 before fouling out late in the final minute. Bobby Nash and Jared Dillinger finished with 10 each.

Boise State forward Reggie Larry scored 16 of his 23 points in the first half and had 10 rebounds. Forward Tyler Tiedeman sparked the Broncos (22-7, 12-3) in the second half and finished with 22 points as BSU clinched at least a share of the WAC regular-season title.

The 'Bows depart on their last -- and longest -- road trip of the season tomorrow night.

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RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii guard Matt Gibson tried to drive past Anthony Thomas of Boise State during last night's game at the Stan Sheriff Center, which the Broncos won 78-71. The loss was the last home contest for Gibson and six other Rainbow Warrior seniors.

The hustle and grit that have been the hallmarks of a senior-driven Hawaii team were again on full display last night.

Twice the Rainbow Warriors fell behind Western Athletic Conference leader Boise State by double digits in their final home game of the season.

But the spirited Rainbow rally came up just short as the Broncos hung on for a 78-71 win.

Hawaii cut an 18-point second-half deficit to three in the final minute, but couldn't quite complete the deal. The Rainbows (11-16, 7-7 WAC) closed the home schedule with their fourth straight loss.

"I gotta give these guys credit, to be down like that on an emotional day like this ... but they gave a great effort and I'm just pleased with the way they fought," UH coach Bob Nash said.

Despite the loss, spirits were high for the traditional senior-night festivities that followed the final buzzer as the Rainbows' seven seniors were honored.

Riley Luettgerodt closed his career in the Sheriff Center by scoring a season-high 20 points before a crowd of 5,502, the largest turnout of the season.

Matt Gibson hit for 17 points before fouling out with 57.4 seconds left and leaving the court to a standing ovation. Jared Dillinger added 10 points.

Fellow seniors P.J. Owsley, Alex Veit and Stephen Verwers were also honored after the game.

"I'm going to miss all these guys," Bob Nash said. "There's a heck of a lot of friendships and bonds that have been created with these guys."

Bobby Nash posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in his last home game and paid tribute to his father and coach by pulling his Bob Nash No. 33 UH jersey off his bedroom wall and wearing it for his final dunk in the emotional postgame ceremony.

"It reminds me of what's important in life and that's family," Bobby Nash said as he greeted fans who stuck around after the game.

It was a momentous night for Boise State (22-7, 12-3) as well. The Broncos clinched at least a share of the WAC regular-season title with their first win in Honolulu.

"I'm 1-6 (in Hawaii), but it was a good one to get," BSU coach Greg Graham said.

"Our guys have had a wonderful season, We were picked fifth and now we at least have a share of it. ... We just have to make sure we don't rest on our laurels."

Boise State opened the game 11-for-14 from the field as forward Reggie Larry -- who went 0-for-7 from the field in the Broncos' win over UH in January -- made his first six shots last night. Boise State led 28-14 when he converted a steal into a breakaway layup midway through the half.

Luettgerodt answered for Hawaii by knocking down three jumpers in a 12-1 UH run and the Rainbows trailed 36-30 at halftime.

After the Rainbows scored the first six points of the second half to tie the game, the Broncos reclaimed control with a 22-4 run, with Tyler Tiedeman contributing 11 points.

Tiedeman knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers from both corners and later found Larry open under the basket for a dunk to put the Broncos up 58-40.

The Rainbows went with a smaller lineup and turned up the pressure on defense to spark a 13-2 run of their own. They closed to 64-53 after Kareem Nitoto hit only his third 3-pointer of the season and Luettgerodt knocked down two free throws.

"Give (UH) a lot of credit, they could have quit when it was 18, but they didn't, they battled back," Graham said.

Boise State maintained a cushion, but UH continued to claw back and cut the lead to 74-71 on a putback dunk by Bill Amis with 41.4 seconds left. But Boise State was able to hang on as UH couldn't get shots to fall in the final seconds.

Larry finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Broncos. Tiedeman hit for 22 points, draining three 3-pointers.

Boise State was without one of its top weapons in center Matt Nelson, but Mark Sanchez came off the bench to boost the Broncos with 14 points and eight rebounds.

"That's just been the nature of this team, we never quit, never say die," Bobby Nash said. "I think we did that tonight and came up a little short but that was a valiant effort."

Hawaii closes the regular season with its longest road trip of the season.

WAC standings

Yesterday
Nevada 87, Louisiana Tech 57
San Jose State 69, Idaho 67
New Mexico State 69, Fresno State 64
Boise State 78, Hawaii 71

Boise State 78, Hawaii 71

Rainbow Warriors (11-15, 7-6 WAC)

Key -- fg-a: field goals made-attempted; ft-a: free throws made-attempted; rb: rebounds; pf: personal fould; pts: total points; a: assists; to: turnovers; min: minutes played.

Halftime -- Boise St. 36, Hawaii 30

3-point goals -- Boise St. 5-14 (Tiedeman 3-5, Thomas 1-2, Larry 1-3, Greene 0-1, Sanchez 0-1), Hawaii 7-18, (Gibson 2-4, Dillinger 2-6, Mayen 1-1, Nitoto 1-3, Nash 1-4).

Steals -- Boise St. 3 (Larry 2, Greene), Hawaii 4 (Luettegrodt, Gibson, Dillinger, Nitoto). Blocked shots -- Boise St. 3 (Larry 3), Hawaii 2 (Amis 2).

Officials -- Ruben Ramos, Rick Batsell, Duane Allan. A-- 5,502.