The new season started the same way the last one finished for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

A frustrating loss.

San Francisco defeated the Rainbow Warriors, 75-70, in the Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic. It was the opener for both teams.

A crowd of 4,414 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Dons spoil the 2008-09 debut of the 'Bows and star recruit Roderick Flemings.

It is Hawai'i's eighth consecutive loss dating to last season.

"It did get some flashbacks of last year," said Bill Amis, the only returning starter from last season. "Late turnover that really cost us, and that was my fault."

The 'Bows were within striking range of the lead seemingly for the final 10 minutes, but could never overcome the Dons. The final blow came when Flemings missed a 3-pointer with 5 seconds remaining and the 'Bows down 73-70.

"It was a good look," Flemings said. "Just (hit) the front of the rim. It shouldn't have come down to the last shot."

Indeed, Hawai'i controlled the first half, and got a balanced scoring attack.

Petras Balocka scored 18 points as all five Hawai'i starters reached double-figure points. Lasha Parghalava and Kareem Nitoto added 14 points each, Flemings had 13, and Amis 11.

But that accounted for all the scoring, and the 'Bows did not get any points from their reserves.

"I'm not pushing the panic button," Nash said. "I have tremendous faith in this group that they're going to be very successful. It's just that tonight was too many new parts for a very good San Francisco team."

Flemings and reserves Brandon Adams and Hiram Thompson all missed UH's exhibition games, so yesterday was their first action of the season.

"It's rough man," Flemings said. "We're just not coming together as a team. It's hard missing all week and coming back, playing a game. I'm trying to work my way into it."

Flemings did show his touted skills, soaring for a one-handed dunk on a fastbreak in the second half, and grabbing a team-high six rebounds.

The 'Bows jumped to a 7-0 lead after a 3-pointer by Balocka, and they stayed in front for most of the first half.

Hawai'i eventually took a 30-29 lead at intermission.

Hawai'i committed 18 turnovers in the game, while passing for just eight assists.

"We normally have more assists than turnovers, or are pretty close, so tonight was not typical of the way we will play," Nash said. "You have to give San Francisco credit. They didn't let us get into a smooth running offense."

The Dons took a 34-30 lead — their first lead of the game — by scoring the first five points of the second half.

The game stayed close the rest of the way, with neither team leading by more than five points until the final minute.

The Dons took a 54-49 lead with 9:17 remaining, and Hawai'i could not overcome it.

"I'm really happy for these guys because I know how hard they work and sometimes it's not rewarded," USF head coach Rex Walters said. "I thought tonight they were."

Blake Wallace led the Dons with 21 pints. Dior Lowhorn added 16, including 13 in the decisive second half.

Thompson, a sophomore point guard, played two minutes in the first half for Hawai'i, but appeared to re-injure his hamstring and sat out the second half.

The Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic will continue tomorrow. San Francisco will play Texas State for the tournament title at 2:30 p.m., followed by Hawai'i against Cal State Fullerton at 5:05.

TEXAS STATE 76, CAL STATE FULLERTON 66

Brent Benson scored 25 points to lead the Bobcats over the Titans in last night's first game.

Texas State raced to a 40-23 lead at halftime and maintained the lead the rest of the way.

Josh Akognon, Fullerton's star guard, scored 11 points but fouled out with 15:50 remaining.