Good news comes at a premium for the 2009-10 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Yesterday was no exception as the team announced junior guard Jeremy Lay will miss the rest of the season with immediate surgery to repair a hernia he's dealt with most of the season.

The loss of Lay exacerbates a dire need for production out of the UH backcourt. A part-time starter this season, the 6-foot transfer from Northern Oklahoma-Enid Junior College logged heavy minutes over the last month. He averaged 8.4 points and 2.5 assists per game and started the last six games at the off-guard spot to provide ball-handling support for point guard Hiram Thompson, who is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

UH (9-14, 2-8) is on a five-game losing streak and has seven regular-season games remaining, including six Western Athletic Conference games. The Rainbows are trying to beat out Boise State for eighth place to qualify for the WAC tournament, but it's been an uphill battle all season, starting with forward Bill Amis' season-ending foot injury in the preseason.

Lay, of Oklahoma City, said he'd continue to play if he could, but that he was “;playing with fire”; with his health as the hernia worsened. He was told by doctors he faces a six- to eight-week rehab process.

He won't make the road trip with the team tomorrow as UH departs for Ruston, La., for Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech. UH is down to 10 active players on the roster, including just three guards — Thompson and walk-ons Leroy Lutu Jr. and Rykin Enos.

“;It's like one thing after another,”; said Lay, who hadn't dealt with such an injury before. “;I mean, something goes good, three things go bad. That's how this season seems to go. I mean, we'll win (one), we'll lose five. We'll get somebody playing good, and two people will get hurt from it. We just could never get the train on the track. Hopefully next year that'll be different.”;

UH coach Bob Nash said swingmen Roderick Flemings and Adhar Mayen would slide over to guard to assist Thompson with ball-handling duties, and added that Lutu would see an expanded role.

Indefinitely suspended shooting guard Dwain Williams was not mentioned by Nash as a solution to the backcourt woes.

“;It's not the best situation to be in, but it is the situation we're in, and guys gotta take care of the basketball,”; Nash said. “;Guys gotta help in a lot more areas than usual. But I think these guys are up for the task.”;

Lay struggled with his shot for much of the season, shooting 29.9 percent from the field, but had his share of bright spots, too. He went for a career-high 26 against New Mexico on Nov. 27 and was second on the team in assists (54), 3-pointers made (28) and steals (17).

He was named to the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic all-tournament team for his strong performances against Southern Utah, McNeese State and Northern Colorado to start the season.

“;I think for a first-year guy he's done well,”; Nash said. “;He's had moments where he's played extremely well ... and he's done a lot of good things for us lately. He's going to be missed. But his health is our most important concern.”;

Midway through the season Lay had a streak of 25 free throws made, three off the UH record. He was one of just three Rainbows to play in all 23 games to this point.

“;I got 23 games in, I got the opportunity to play in front of a great crowd,”; Lay said. “;I've been in a great atmosphere, a lot of fans. It wasn't like it was a terrible, terrible season.”;