LAS VEGAS – The University of South Alabama men's basketball team defeated Hawaii, 72-69 Friday in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic at the Orleans Arena.
 
South Alabama's Charles Manning Jr. posted career-highs in points (25) and rebounds (7) on 10-of-18 shooting, while Diante Smith added 15 points and Jay Jay Chandler chipped in 10 to lead the Jaguar offense.
 
Hawaii had four players in double digits, led by junior Madut's 18 points.
 
Date: 11/26
Place: Orleans Arena
Final Score: South Alabama 72, Hawaii 69
Records: South Alabama 5-2, Hawaii 3-2
 
GAME FACTS
- Hawaii jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening three minutes.
- Lance Thomas hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two, 7-5 with 15:31 left in the first half.
- The Rainbow Warriors responded with a 11-4 run to stretch the lead, 18-9 with 11:20 remaining.
- South outscored Hawaii 24-17 over the final 11:20 to pull the Jags within two, 35-33 at halftime.
- A layup from Smith gave the Jaguars their first lead of the game, 38-37 with 18:28 remaining.
- Hawaii's Amoro Lado hit a three-point jumper to tie the game at 43-43 with 14:51 showing on the clock.
- USA answered with a 9-2 run to take a 52-45 lead, highlighted by a three-point play by Chandler.
- The Rainbow Warriors scored seven-straight points to tie the game at 52-52 at the 9:27 mark.
- The Jags scored the next five points to push the lead back to five, 57-52.
-  Leading 59-58, South Alabama extended the lead back to seven (65-58) after Smith hit a three-pointer with just over four minutes left.
- Hawaii hit a three-pointer and a layup with 16 seconds remaining to draw within one, 70-69.
- Chandler hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to put the Jaguars up three, 72-69. South forced a missed three-pointer and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
- South Alabama outscored Hawaii 44-20 in the paint.
 
NOTES
- With the win, South Alabama is 2-2 all-time against Hawaii.
- This is the first regular-season tournament title for the Jaguars since the Red Diamond Roundball Classic during the 2016-17 season.
- After forcing 20 turnovers against Hawaii, the Jaguars have forced 15 or more turnovers in six out of seven contests this season.
- South has now won four straight games.
- With his 25 points, Manning Jr. has scored in double figures in six consecutive games.
- Chandler has scored in double digits in four straight contests.
- Smith's 15 points were one shy of tying his career-best.
 
UP NEXT
- South Alabama returns home to take on Texas A&M-Commerce on Monday at 7 p.m. (CST) at the Mitchell Center.
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give
 
—USA—