By KYLE ROBERTS

Associate Sports Editor

The Bulldogs (7-8, 2-4 WAC) ended their road trip on a high note by defeating the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (10-3, 2-3 WAC) 61-59 in Honolulu after dropping a disappointing match to the San Jose State Spartans (4-10, 1-4 WAC) 88-87 in San Jose, Calif., two nights earlier.

"It was a great win for us at Hawaii," Tech's head coach Keith Richard said. "It's ironic that we were the only team last year to deal them a loss at home, and we've done that again this year."

The win snapped Tech's four game losing streak and ended in spectacular fashion for the Bulldogs, as senior forward Wayne Powell rebounded a miss from senior guard Corey Dean and sank a lay-up to give the Bulldogs the two-point advantage with 3.6 seconds left in the game.

The Warriors' Julian Sensley shot a mid-court prayer before the final buzzer sounded, but the shot fell short, as the Bulldogs snapped Hawaii's 13 game home winning streak, dating back to last year's loss to Tech by a score of 62-61.

Four Bulldogs ended the night in double figures with senior guard Donell Allick leading the way with 22 points and Dean following with 13 points.

Sophomore forward Paul Millsap posted his 31st career double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while Powell also had 10 points with his most important two points coming at the end of the game.

The Bulldogs' defense held the Warriors to 59 points, which was well below their season average of 66.2.

"The biggest difference between the Hawaii game and the San Jose State game was our defense," Richard said. "The win gave us something to build on for the rest of the season."

Two nights prior to the Hawaii win, the Bulldogs played in another nail-biter, but unfortunately, Tech was on the losing side against the Spartans.

With 22.6 seconds left in the game, Allick inbounded a pass off a defender's back and laid it in to give the Bulldogs an 87-86 lead.

Tech could not hold on, however, as Dean committed his first and only foul with 4.6 seconds left to send San Jose State's Marquin Chandler to the free-throw line, where he sealed the Spartan victory.

Millsap led the Bulldogs' offense with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Dean added 23 points. Allick and Powell each finished with 12.

"I was extremely impressed with our offensive efforts in both games," Richard said. "Unfortunately, in the San Jose State game our defense wasn't able to hold on long enough."

The Bulldogs will return home to the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday night to play the Southern Methodist University Mustangs.

"We've done fairly well so far on the road this year," Richard said. "Now we need to establish something at home. It's a big priority to beat this tough SMU team."