ANCHORAGE – Junior guard Bobby Nash and senior guard Matt Lojeski scored 17 points to help Hawaii past Hofstra 80-79 in Game 3 of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout tonight at the Sullivan Arena.

The Rainbow Warriors (3-1) benefited from a 14-point advantage from the free throw line, connecting on 26 of 31 attempts (83.9 percent), including hitting 24 of 29 attempts in the second half. The Pride (0-3), who attempted 10 fewer free throws, shot just 46.7 percent from the charity stripe for the game (12-21).

After trailing by as many as 11 in the second half,  Hofstra would fight back and tie the game at 71-71 on a layup by Loren Stokes with 1:59 remaining. But Hawaii would answer with a 6-0 run, including four from Nash, to take a 77-71 advantage and hang on for the win.

Nash (5-13 FG, 1-4 3FG, 6-6 FT) helped Hawaii grab a 39-33 halftime lead, scoring 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field in the first half.

The bigger Warriors, who held a 38-29 advantage on the glass, also received 12 points from senior forward Ahmet Gueye and 10 from junior forward P.J. Owsley.

Hofstra senior guard Loren Stokes recorded a game-high 29 points, with 20 coming in the second half.

Hawaii advances to Friday’s 8 p.m. (AST) semifinal against the winner of the Cal/Marshall game, while Hofstra falls into the consolation bracket where it will play the Cal/Marshall loser at 2 p.m. Friday.