Hawaii beats UC Irvine 71-64 to win Massive West and clinch first NCAA Match berth since 2016

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Isaac Johnson scored 22 factors to guide No. 2 seed Hawaii to a 71-64 victory over top-seeded UC Irvine on Saturday night time for the Rainbow Warriors’ first Massive West Championship title and NCAA Match berth since 2016 — coach Eran Ganot’s first with this system.

Hawaii (24-8) led for a lot of the sport and took the lead for good on Johnson’s layup with about 10 minutes to play. UC Irvine pulled to 66-64 with 38 seconds left however Harry Rouhliadeff answered with a layup after which Dre Bullock adopted with a breakaway two-hand slam dunk to assist seal it for the Warriors.

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Rouhliadeff, who had 16 factors and 10 rebounds in a 78-63 win in opposition to Cal State Fullerton within the semifinal, completed with 15 factors and a season-high 12 rebounds in opposition to the Anteaters for his second double-double of the season. Bullock additionally scored 15 factors to go along with seven rebounds for the Warriors.

Jurian Dixon scored 17 factors for UC Irvine (23-11). Derin Saran and Kyle Evans added 13 factors apiece and Andre Henry had 12.

Hawaii entered 0-3 in matchups in opposition to UC Irvine within the match (2013, 2018 quarterfinals and 2015 finals).

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