The storybook start to Roderick Flemings' Hawaii career just wasn't to be.

In his highly anticipated Hawaii debut, the heralded transfer found the ball in his hands with a chance to extend the evening for the Rainbow Warriors.

But his potential game-tying 3-pointer clanged off the rim in the final seconds and the Rainbows were left with a 75-70 season-opening loss to San Francisco last night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

“;It was a good look, just the front of the rim,”; Flemings said. “;It shouldn't have come down to the last shot.”;

It turned out to be the last shot in a largely frustrating return to Division I for Flemings.

Still bothered by a sprained right ankle, Flemings scored 13 points on 3-for-11 shooting from the field—scoring on a putback, a fan-pleasing breakaway dunk and a layup. The last of the trio came with 11:28 left in the game and represented his last points of the contest.

Most of his scoring came from the free-throw line, where he made seven of nine attempts. He added six rebounds and two steals, but had trouble finding his shot for most of the game.

“;I can't really move that well with my ankle,”; Flemings said. “;I tried to play good on defense, I wanted to get a lot of steals.

“;I can't really elevate when I jump because my ankle still hurts. That's why I was trying to get to the hole. ... I had some high expectations even though I had a hurt ankle, but I'm still disappointed about the loss.”;

He tried to draw a charge on a pivotal possession with a minute left, but was whistled for a block on a close call.

After earning first-team junior college All-America honors last year at Weatherford (Texas) College, where he averaged 20.7 points, Flemings started at small forward in his first Division I game since leaving Oklahoma State following his freshman year.

His practice time was limited by the ankle injury and he missed about a week—including both of Hawaii's exhibition games—when he returned to Texas due to the death of his grandfather.

“;It was rough,”; Flemings said. “;It's hard missing a week and coming back and playing a game. I'm trying to work my way into it. San Francisco did a good job. We just need to get back in the gym tomorrow and work on it.”;

Flemings contributed to the Rainbows' first basket, feeding Petras Balocka for a layup on UH's opening possession of the season.

He picked up two fouls in the game's first 2:25 and scored most of his seven first-half points from the free-throw line. His lone field goal came on a putback off a missed free throw by Bill Amis.

Flemings' highlight moment came about 5 minutes into the second half when he scooped up a loose ball at midcourt and soared for a one-handed slam.

“;I was excited before the game started. I'm still excited about the season, we just had a tough game,”; Flemings said.

Tip-ins

Sophomore guard Hiram Thompson, who has been bothered by injuries in the preseason, played 2 minutes in the first half in his return from a two-year church mission. He did not play in the second half. Freshman walk-on Leroy Lutu played 3 minutes in relief of Kareem Nitoto. ... Former UH coach Riley Wallace attended last night's opener. He was also in the arena for the Rainbows' exhibition games. ... A moment of silence was observed before the game in honor of Peter McGonigle Wenner, the UH sailor who died this week due to injuries suffered in a boating accident.