{"id":211418,"date":"2026-03-09T09:54:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T09:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/211418\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T09:54:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T09:54:26","slug":"hawaii-basketball-vows-to-regroup-from-senior-night-letdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/211418\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii basketball vows to regroup from senior night letdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

HONOLULU \u2014 When Chris Acker walks through the tunnels of the Stan Sheriff Center, he passes blown-up painted photos and plaques of Hawaii\u2019s breakthrough Big West basketball championship season of 10 years ago. He sees his likeness on the wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel chills because I know the sacrifices that were made when I was here,\u201d Acker said Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Eran Ganot\u2019s ex-assistant siphoned a championship celebration from his old program as Long Beach State, led by precocious freshman guard Devin Sykes, played the role of spoiler to perfection in an 84-75 defeat of the Rainbow Warriors on their senior night.<\/p>\n

[Note: See below for more photos of Hawaii-Long Beach State basketball.]<\/p>\n

It was not a fatal blow to the season, but an impactful one that laid bare divergent postseason paths for UH (22-8, 14-6 Big West). Suddenly, success or failure seem to hang on a razor\u2019s edge in the Big West championships at Lee\u2019s Family Forum in Henderson, Nev., even with UH already locking up a double bye into the semifinals.<\/p>\n

UH knew rival UC Irvine had already locked up the No. 1 seed with an overtime win over UC Davis earlier in the day, but a share of a regular-season conference championship in the program\u2019s final Big West season was there for the taking.<\/p>\n

It would\u2019ve been just the fourth regular-season title, shared or outright, in UH history and the first since Ganot\u2019s first season of 2015-16. But UH subtmitted a listless performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-three years (of coaching), I can remember almost every single game, the great moments, the tough moments,\u201d Ganot said. \u201cIt’ll be there with us. It won’t own us, but it makes you who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, UH heads into Henderson with a letdown that cast a melancholy spell over traditional postgame ceremonies for a senior class that injected new life into the program \u2014 Harry Rouhliadeff, Gytis Nemeiksa, Isaac Johnson, Dre Bullock, Hunter Erickson and Yacine Toumi.<\/p>\n

As LBSU put the finishing touches on its victory, Ganot kneeled in front of the melancholy outgoing players and told them this one was on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want it so bad for them,\u201d Ganot said after the team\u2019s tribute video a few minutes later. \u201cEven you see the emotions from the guys who weren’t seniors because they wanted so bad for them and for this group. that’s life sometimes didn’t happen our way Long Beach had a lot to do with that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe bounced back over the years, and this year, I expect us to again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bullock, the high-flying wing who imbued the \u2018Bows with some of their best individual highlights in years, had an emphatic two-handed baseline dunk in the first half among his 14 points, but he couldn’t find his outside shot. He was surprisingly subdued on his senior dunk with a polite deposit while draped in lei.<\/p>\n

The four-year UH forward Rouhliadeff and the Utah State transfer Johnson were overcome by emotion during their senior introductions.<\/p>\n

Rouhliadeff, of Brisbane, Australia, came out last to a lasting ovation from those who remained among the \u201cwhite-out\u201d crowd of 5,468 (6,512 tickets issued).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means the world to me,\u201d Rouhliadeff said. \u201cWith all the time and effort I put into this place and for them to give me that standing ovation like I couldn’t help but come to tears. This place, this arena, it has holds a special place in my heart, and I will never forget that, and I will look back on all my time in Hawaii and cherish the moments that I have with my brothers and the coaches and the families that they have. They’re the best people in the world, and I honestly, I can’t thank them enough bringing me here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many on the rebuilt roster, Johnson has been at UH less than a full calendar year but the Utah native said he has been impacted nonetheless. The \u201cBig Fish,\u201d who got the UH faithful to buy into his signature arm chomp celebration almost immediately upon arrival, teared up as he flashed double shakas to the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like you’re not a true man if you can’t show a little emotion,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAnd I couldn’t hold it back.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for reconciling those feelings with the frustration of the in which he registered 16 points and eight rebounds, he said \u201cIt’s a basketball game. There’s a lot more in life than basketball. Bummed we lost that one. We got to go get a ring the hard way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii center Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson threw down a two-handed dunk in the second half against Long Beach State as guard Gavin Sykes (11) looked on. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

UH remains the No. 2 seed in the eight-team tournament and will play in the late game Friday (8:30 p.m. Pacific\/5:30 p.m. Hawaii time) against one of No. 6 seed UC Davis, No. 7 UC Santa Barbara or No. 3 Cal State Fullerton.<\/p>\n

Long Beach State (10-22, 6-14) bought into metaphorical championship stakes that proved potent enough to contend with UH\u2019s actual championship opportunity: End your season with a memorable win that will be a building block for future success, the second-year leader Acker told them.<\/p>\n

Sykes, the Big West\u2019s second-leading scorer who missed the teams\u2019 first meeting Jan. 31 at the Pyramid, answered the call by splashing 3-pointers on three straight possessions to turn a tight game into a runaway. Sykes scored 34, a season high for a UH opponent.<\/p>\n

Sykes said he was motivated to send LBSU\u2019s seniors out on a victory. Some of his pulls nearly touched the edges of the center court \u201cH.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually was shooting the exact same shots in warm-ups on the logo, and that’s exactly what I remembered,\u201d Sykes said. \u201cI was like, \u2018I’m just gonna shoot it, and I think it’s going to go in\u2019 and it did.\u201d<\/p>\n

UH learned it was in for a battle after it took a quick lead. LBSU built a double-digit lead at the half. When UH claimed a 58-55 lead with 11 minutes left, the Beach response was swift.<\/p>\n

Erickson, who scored 18 of his season-high 23 points in the first half, said he thought the team overreacted to the Beach hitting tough shots. LBSU shot 50% (9-for-18) on 3s.<\/p>\n

The Utah transfer, one of a few married players on one of the oldest teams in college basketball, said he and his wife now consider Hawaii a second home.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously it didn’t turn out how we wanted in the game, but we got everything we want ahead of us still,\u201d Erickson said. \u201cWe got the Big West championship coming up, and, you know, fighting for that championship to get to the NCAA tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the biggest goal, and that\u2019s the goal I came to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ganot was assessed a rare technical foul with under five minutes to play and UH trailing by five when Rouhliadeff hit the deck for a loose ball. Ganot attempted to call timeout (or get one of his players to) and grasped a nearby official on the floor as he called out.<\/p>\n

The referee told him the technical was for where he was positioned on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta own it,\u201d Ganot said. \u201c(I\u2019m) not a guy who’s very demonstrative as a coach in this league or in the country, and disappointed that happened, but that was a communication to me that I was on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

It figures to be an impactful week to come as Ganot is still on the final year of his contract. However, should UH fall short of winning the tournament and gaining the automatic NCAA Tournament berth, the NIT is a possibility given UH\u2019s top-125 NET and KenPom ratings.<\/p>\n

In the handshake line, Ganot told Acker and his other former assistant John Montgomery they deserved the win in their last Big West appearance in the building.<\/p>\n

Acker lauded Ganot for his nine years since Acker left to assist at Boise State, San Diego State and head up LBSU.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what Eran\u2019s about and what his program\u2019s about and what he\u2019s trying to build, and what he has built here,\u201d Acker said. \u201cSo it\u2019s always special to come in here, play and compete and to see Rich (arena manager Sheriff) and to see all you guys here. It\u2019s ohana.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told the guys before the game, what we did in my tenure here was special,\u201d Acker said. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a legacy on the wall for all the players and coaches who were here during that time. \u2026 I know what Eran\u2019s about and what his program\u2019s about and what he\u2019s trying to build, and what he has built here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii seniors Gytis Nemeiksa, Isaac Johnson, Hunter Erickson, Harry Rouhliadeff, Dre Bullock and Yacine Toumi. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii seniors and team managers looked up at the team video tribute. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An emotional Harry Rouhliadeff came out for his senior ceremony. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gytis Nemeiksa threw down his senior dunk during his senior ceremony for the second straight year. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A lei-clad Harry Rouhliadeff threw down his senior dunk. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Former Hawaii athletic director Craig Angelos, middle right, spoke to coach Eran Ganot after watching the game from courtside. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii assistant coach Gibson Johnson greeted Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson during his senior ceremony. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson flashed double shakas to the crowd. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii staff members and managers did the “Big Fish Chomp” in honor of Isaac Johnson. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii wing Dre Bullock went up for his senior dunk. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii coach Eran Ganot hugged Dre Bullock during his senior ceremony. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Eran Ganot hugged Hunter Erickson before his senior shot. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii’s Hunter Erickson looked for a baseline drive against LBSU’s Isaiah Lewis. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii wing Isaac Finlinson lost control on a drive next to LBSU’s Shay Johnson Jr. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii coach Eran Ganot shook hands with LBSU coach Chris Acker, his former assistant at UH. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Eran Ganot greeted his former associate head coach John Montgomery in the handshake line. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harry Rouhliadeff went down for a loose ball, causing UH coach Eran Ganot to call for timeout late in the game. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

UH coach Eran Ganot reacted to being assessed a technical foul after attempting to call timeout from the floor. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii coach Eran Ganot protested a technical foul call against him with an official. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Long Beach State guard Gavin Sykes drove upcourt against UH’s Dre Bullock. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson went up with the ball. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Long Beach State coach Chris Acker yelled toward his team. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

LBSU guard Gavin Sykes pointed after hitting one of his three straight 3-pointers in the final minutes to put the game away. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii wing Isaac Finlinson drove to the basket. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii wing Dre Bullock went for a reverse layup as LBSU’s Petar Majstorovic defended. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Injured Hawaii guards Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (14) and Tanner Cuff (1) watched from the bench. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dre Bullock drove to the hoop for Hawaii. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dre Bullock pushed the ball in transition. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii center Isaac Johnson crashed into the Hawaii bench over the basketball along with LBSU’s Petar Majstorovic. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

LBSU guard Shaquil Bender threw down a dunk in the last minute to punctuate the road victory. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii’s Dre Bullock drove and drew contact from LBSU’s Shaquil Bender. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Long Beach State head coach Chris Acker, middle, and assistant John Montgomery, middle right, are former assistant coaches of Hawaii’s Eran Ganot. (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii backup center Yacine Toumi executed a spin move against LBSU’s Shay Johnson Jr. (33). (Spectrum News\/Brian McInnis)<\/p>\n

Brian McInnis<\/a>\u00a0covers the state\u2019s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.\u00a0He can be reached at\u00a0brian.mcinnis@<\/a>charter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HONOLULU \u2014 When Chris Acker walks through the tunnels of the Stan Sheriff Center, he passes blown-up painted…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":211419,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[19375,6632,6631,19376,1815,2289,131,133,132,127,136],"class_list":["post-211418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-app-college-sports","tag-app-sports","tag-app-top-stories","tag-brian-mcinnis","tag-college","tag-hawaii","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-sports","tag-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211418"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211418\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/211419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=211418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=211418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}