Rainbow Warrior season ends in CIT opening round loss to Air Force

Brought back to life in the form of a pay to play season-extending invitation to the CIT Tournament, the University of Hawaii Men’s Basketball team had the plug-pulled by Air Force, 69-65, ending the year on a 4-game losing streak.

‘Bows stumbled off the block with the Falcons leading 20-8 through the first 10 minutes, but led behind Isaac Fotu (24 pts) and Christian Standhardinger (16 pts) who would combine for 40 points in the game, UH went on a 21-0 run eventually taking a 3-point lead into the lockers. However, thanks to a stunning 15 3-pointers by Air Force, the Rainbow Warriors couldn’t keep the lead, getting eliminated from the CIT. 

In defeat, Senior Center Vander Joaquim had his career come to a dissapointing end in the second half, when he left the game after getting called for three fouls in a 17-second span.

It was initially thought that he was ejected, but Gib Arnold later explained in the postgame press conference that he exited on his own in "frustration."