GAME NOTES: The Colorado Buffaloes and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will meet in the third-place game of the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday evening at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors were extremely close to playing for the tournament title, as they were edged out by 11th-ranked Wichita State on Tuesday in the semifinals, falling to the Shockers in overtime by a single point (80-79). The loss to the Shockers ended a brief two-game win streak for Hawaii, which knocked off Nebraska in Monday's opening round (66-58), and leaves the Warriors with a 9-4 overall record.

The Buffaloes participated in their own close call, but they too came out on the losing end, falling to George Washington in the waning moments on Tuesday, 53-50. With the loss to the Colonials, Colorado drops to 7-4 on the season.

These teams are meeting for the third time in series history. The Warriors have won both previous matchups, including a 76-74 victory in 1999, the last time these teams met.

The Buffaloes have been effective at times offensively this season, but Tuesday's game against George Washington wasn't one of those times. Colorado was held to just .365 shooting overall, including a bleak 1-of-12 from behind the arc (.083). There wasn't much scoring off any kind, as CU managed a mere 50 points in the loss. Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon led the team offensively, with 10 points apiece. Askia Booker and Xavier Johnson had eight points each in the setback.

Colorado has been more efficient at the offensive end over the course of the year, shooting at a .455 clip, but it has still generated a rather modes 68.5 ppg. The team has done a nice job rebounding, with a +6.4 margin, but is -1.1 in turnover margin. Booker tops the team's scoring chart with 14.6 ppg despite shooting a mere .391 from the field. The 6-foot-10 Scott is strong inside, averaging 14.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in blocks (21). Johnson rounds out the team's double-digit scorers at 13.3 ppg.

The Rainbow Warriors had the Shockers on the ropes, but a late putback by Wichita State with just three seconds left in the overtime session proved to be the difference, sending Hawaii to the consolation game. There were 11 lead changes and five ties in the game, so there is some solace in the fact that Hawaii gave a top-15 team all it could handle. Aaron Valdes and Isaac Fleming led Hawaii in scoring with 17 points apiece. Stefan Jankovic chipped in with 12, while Roderick Bobbitt netted eight points and doled out 10 assists.

Hawaii has some solid scoring depth, as seven players on the roster are averaging 8.5 ppg or better. Valdes has been the best of the bunch, as the 6-5 sophomore paces the team in both scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg). Senior guard Garrett Nevels is the only other Warrior currently averaging double digits at 12.0 ppg. Bobbitt (9.8 ppg) and Fleming (9.2 ppg) are the closest to join the group. Bobbitt, a 6-3 junior, is a terrific facilitator, doling out just under six assists per contest (5.9).

The Buffaloes have a bit more size, but Hawaii is playing at an extremely high level right now. After the near-miss against Wichita State, the Warriors are brimming with confidence.