ANCHORAGE, Alaska — After a one-game lapse, Matt Lojeski found his points — and his head — again last night to lead the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team to a 71-60 victory over Pacific.

Lojeski scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting to lead the Rainbow Warriors to a third-place finish in the eight-team Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

"I was actually hoping to take more shots because it was feeling good," Lojeski said. "I feel like my confidence is back, real high right now."

Less than 24 hours earlier, Lojeski was held to a season-low seven points on 3-of-10 shooting in a 72-56 loss to California on Friday.

"This guy had his head somewhere else (Friday) night," Wallace said of Lojeski. "But he was here tonight and played very well."

After the loss to Cal on Friday, Lojeski said he felt "tired" while playing 38 minutes. Last night, he played 35, and got to rest for a few minutes in each half.

"Just taking a minute here and there makes a big difference," the 6-foot-6 senior shooting guard said. "I was feeling energized every time I went back in."

Somewhat surprisingly, most of Lojeski's points came from inside the 3-point line. He attempted only one 3-pointer last night, and made it.

Last season, Lojeski led the 'Bows with 56 3-pointers, but he has been in an admitted long-range slump this season.

"I think it's coming around," he said. "It wasn't like I was way off in the other games. It felt like it's just a hair off, and hopefully it's back now."

Lojeski sparked the 'Bows in the decisive first half last night by collecting four steals. "It all starts with defense," he said. "That gave us some easy baskets, and got us rolling."

In the second half, he got rolling, connecting on 7 of 7 shots from the field. Included in his second-half output was an emphatic slam-dunk off a pass from Stephen Verwers, and several mid-range jump shots as the 35-second shot clock was winding down.

"Everybody was getting into the offense," Lojeski said. "We were executing, taking our time."

Lojeski has made just five 3s in six games this season, but he still leads the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game. Perhaps most telling, he is averaging 21.5 points per game in Hawai'i's four wins this season, and 8.0 per game in the two losses.

In Hawai'i's three games at the Great Alaska Shootout, Lojeski proved to be one of the top all-around players in the field. He tallied 46 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds.

GOOD LUCK SONG

The theme from "Hawaii Five-O" was played in Sullivan Arena last night as the 'Bows made their way onto the court.

"As soon as you hear it, you get that feeling like you do at home," Bobby Nash said. "I know I enjoyed that. It got me going."

STAYING ON THE ROAD

Hawai'i departed Anchorage at 2:15 this morning for Santa Clara, Calif.

The 'Bows will conclude their road trip with a game at Santa Clara on Wednesday.

"We needed this win to make it a nice flight," junior guard Matt Gibson said. "And as long as I get a window seat, it'll be even better."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.