UNLV uses second-half surge to beat Hawaii 73-59

UNLV forward Joel Ntambwe (24) celebrates with forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (30) after he made a basket and drew a foul against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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HONOLULU — Joel Ntambwe scored 17 points with 11 rebounds, Kris Clyburn also scored 17 and Noah Robotham had all 16 of his points in the second half when UNLV used a big run to overtake Hawaii 73-59 at the Diamond Head Classic on Saturday.

The Runnin’ Rebels (6-4) play Indiana State in a Sunday semifinal while the Rainbow Warriors (6-5) face Colorado.

Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored five points to give UNLV the lead and begin a 23-3 run that included two 3-pointers and nine points from Clyburn and left the Rebels ahead 56-38 with 7½ minutes remaining. The Warriors missed 10 consecutive shots during UNLV’s run.

Hawaii got within eight with two minutes left, but a Clyburn dunk and a Robotham 3-pointer squelched the rally.

UNLV had built a 13-point lead with 8:26 left in the first half, but the Warriors then outscored the Rebels 18-3 before the break.

Drew Buggs led Hawaii with 16 points and seven assists.