SDSU Loses Fifth in Row as Hawaii Wins

San Diego State let a second-half lead get away Thursday night against Hawaii and the Aztecs went on to lose their fifth consecutive game, this time 65-62 in front of 3,227 at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu.

The loss dropped the Aztecs below .500 for the first time this season at 8-9; they are 2-5 in the Western Athletic Conference. The loss was their 21st in the 22 WAC road games over 4 seasons.

SDSU led almost the entire game and did not give up the lead for good until Hawaii (11-7, 4-3) went ahead, 55-54, with 4:30 to play.

Unlike recent games in which the Aztecs started slowly and shot poorly, they shot 61.9% in the first half in taking a 37-33 lead.

The Aztecs might have had a bigger lead had they not turned the ball over 11 times in the half.

Michael Best made 6 of 8 shots in scoring 14 first-half points, but he was shut out in the second half.

The Aztecs played without reserve guard Tony Ross, who sprained his ankle in practice Wednesday and did not suit up.