Warriors hold off Adams State, 87-77

Gibson Johnson scored 19 points and true freshman Samuta Avea added 13 points and five rebounds off the bench tonight to help Hawai’i hold off visiting Adams State, 87-77, in non-conference men’s basketball action.

An estimated crowd of about 3,300 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched Leland Green and Brandon Thomas each also add 13 points and Brock Stepteau chip in 12 points as the Warriors improved to 4-1, while the Grizzlies fell to 2-5.

After trailing 70-56 following Avea’s left-handed scoop shot with 6:17 remaining, Mike Thomas scored on a putback 19 seconds later to ignite a stunning 11-0 run capped by Shane Johnson’s pull-up 3-pointer from the right wing which closed it to 70-67 with…