Avea lifts Hawaii past UC Davis 67-65

DAVIS, Calif. (AP) — Samuta Avea scored 12 points in the final four minutes, including the game-winning 3-pointer with three seconds left, and Hawaii rallied from 13 points down to beat UC Davis 67-65 on Thursday night.

The Aggies led 62-49 on Elijah Pepper’s free throw, but Zigmars Raimo hit one from the line and Avea made three straight 3-pointers and began closing the gap. Pepper’s 3-pointer with 1:47 to play put UC Davis up 65-61, but Raimo made two free throws and the Rainbow Warriors called a timeout with 17 seconds left. Avea hit his 3 from the corner and Justin Hemsley iced it with a free throw.

Avea made 4 of 8 3-pointers and scored 18 points and Raimo added 14 with seven rebounds for Hawaii (17-12, 8-7 Big West Conference). Hensley had 11 points and Eddie Stansberry scored 10.

Ezra Manjon scored 18 points with five assists for the Aggies (14-17, 8-8), who entered the game ranked third in conference standings. Pepper and Caleb Fuller added 11 points apiece.

The Rainbow Warriors improve to 2-0 against the Aggies this season. Hawaii defeated UC Davis 76-75 on Jan. 25. Hawaii finishes out the regular season against Cal State Northridge on the road on Saturday. UC Davis finishes out the regular season against UC Riverside on the road on Saturday.