FIRESTONE FIELDHOUSE, DEC. 3 — Men’s basketball (5-3) followed suit after the women’s basketball team’s close win over Cal State Northridge, leading the Waves to a 73-67 victory over Hawaii.
The highlight momentum swing of the game was when referees called an over the back foul on Hawaii junior Vander Joaquim, which led to ejecting Joaquim from the game.
Following the personal foul call, Joaquim gave a two-handed shove to senior Corbin Moore’s chest, then knocked over some boxes and stormed off the court.
“He came at me first, and then he pushed another guy,” Corbin said. “I’m not a big temper guy, so I just stood there. But it was a big change in the game.”
Corbin was awarded with six consecutive free throws from the personal foul, and the two technical fouls that resulted in the ejection. He nailed five of the six to put the Waves up 62-51.
Those five free points contributed to Moore’s career high and team high total 17 points. He scored all of his points in the second half. Adding to that, he recorded four rebounds, three assists and a block.
“I was out with foul trouble in the first half,” Moore said. “I was antsy to get back in, and I had a lot of energy. When I got in I was telling [my teammates], ‘Look for me!’”
The strategy worked, as the Waves managed to take control towards the end of the game. Hawaii tried to fight back with a full-court press as they were down 63-58.
Warrior freshman Shaquille Stokes hit a three with a hand in his face to close the gap to 65-61, but it was not enough.
Junior Caleb Wills answered back, stroking a three with the assist from freshman Jordan Baker.
On the next play down, senior Taylor Darby added salt to that wound by emphatically rejecting a Hawaii shot attempt.
Hawaii junior Haus Brereton hit two desperation threes to finish off their 73-67 loss. Next the Waves travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., to take on Northern Arizona in a televised game on Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
