The fiesta didn't extend across the ocean for Boise State.

Hawaii got an essential Western Athletic Conference win, 76-68, and snapped a five-game losing streak to the Broncos before a crowd of 2,772 last night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Hawaii (8-7, 1-1 WAC) closed the game superbly, unlike its 59-52 loss to Idaho on Saturday. UH made its last 10 free throws — including six by backup point guard Jeremy Lay — as the Broncos' feverish fullcourt pressure couldn't turn the game around.

Roderick Flemings was back in form with 20 points — his highest output in nearly a month — and Adhar Mayen (13 points) and Paul Campbell (14) tied their career highs. Point guard Hiram Thompson scored 15 and guided the Rainbows through the worst of the BSU press down the stretch.

UH heads on a two-game road trip in much better shape than had it withered in the face of another visiting league foe. The Rainbows play on Saturday at Fresno State, which narrowly defeated BSU (9-6, 0-2) in its league opener.

The Rainbows take some positive momentum with them after a much better performance breaking a press than their previous showing against one (vs. UNLV in the Diamond Head Classic). UH shot 55.2 percent from the field in the second half in spreading the ball around both on the break and in the halfcourt.

“;First of all, I feel really good to get that first conference win, and the way our guys did it,”; UH coach Bob Nash said. “;They played team basketball tonight to bring the victory home.

“;I just think we'll continue to grow. We're getting better, execution is getting better, and the more we're able to grind games out like this and win them, it builds confidence that we can win the close games. We were fortunate to beat a very good basketball team in Boise State.”;

Hawaii possessed a single-digit lead for most of the second half, but there were some nervous moments as the Broncos upped their pressure and got within 58-54 with 4 minutes, 48 seconds left.

“;(The press) worked for a while, but eventually they're going to figure it out, which they did,”; BSU coach Greg Graham said. “;We like to put it on and take it off, but we had to leave it on because we didn't have anything else.”;

While the Broncos' football team got a big win yesterday in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., BSU didn't have enough offense to get it done in Hawaii.

BSU guard La'Shard Anderson kept his team in it with 18 points and five of his team's seven steals off the bench, but Nash inserted Lay to alleviate some of the pressure in the final 5 minutes, and the Broncos had to go to fouling.

“;Definitely a great feeling,”; Thompson said. “;We were pretty bummed about the Idaho game and this was a huge win. They came at us hard with the fullcourt press, trapping really hard. (The refs) were letting it play once they came and trapped ... but we got up and down the court as many times as we needed.”;

At the other end, BSU went 2-for-9 at the line over a 7-minute stretch as UH extended its lead to double digits.

Guard Dwain Williams, Hawaii's leading scorer at 14.8 points per game, was out after dislocating his shooting shoulder in Sunday's practice. Flemings was back in the starting lineup in his second game returning from a sprained knee.

Flemings bombed away from deep all night, looking to his outside shot more than any other game at home this season. He finished 8-for-20, his most attempts this season.

“;I told myself I'd take a lot more shots tonight. I got a few to go,”; the senior forward said. “;Guys was fired up, (and) we're ready to go on the road and get some more wins.”;

Boise State came out just as cold as Hawaii finished against Idaho on Saturday. The Broncos missed eight of their first nine shots as UH went ahead 8-4.

Mayen, meanwhile, hit his first three for nine quick points — but UH couldn't sustain the quick start. A 21-7 lead fell by the wayside as the offense stagnated once Thompson was taken out with his second foul with 8:25 left in the half. BSU promptly rattled off a 12-0 run to get back in it.

Thompson was re-inserted for the last 5 minutes of the period, but by that time Boise had drawn even. The Broncos outscored UH 21-6 over the last 8:33 in taking a 28-27 halftime lead.

WAC STANDINGS

Yesterday
Hawaii 76, Boise State 68
San Jose State 78, Idaho 75
Louisiana Tech 82, Utah State 60
Nevada 77, New Mexico State 67

HAWAII 76, BOISE STATE 68

BRONCOS (9-6, 0-2 WAC)

RAINBOW WARRIORS (8-7, 1-1 WAC)

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

Halftime — Boise State 28, Hawaii 27

3-point goals — Boise St. 3-17 (Anderson 2-5, Thomas 1-4, Arnold 0-1, Montreal 0-1, Noonan 0-6), Hawaii 4-15 (Flemings 2-7, Thompson 1-2, Mayen 1-4, Balocka 0-1, Lay 0-1).

Steals — Boise St. 7 (Anderson 5, Thomas, Arnold), Hawaii 4 (Flemings 2, Balocka, Campbell). Blocked shots — Boise St. 4 (Arnold 2, Okoye, Noonan). Hawaii 1 (Thompson)

Officials — Rick Batsell, Ken Nielson, Newton Chelette.

A— 2,772.