LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Trevor Ruffin, Predrag Savovic, Carl English and ... Matt Lojeski?

It is the University of Hawai'i's honor roll of Western Athletic Conference Tournament shooting stars, the players who took over games and, indeed, whole tournaments to propel the Rainbow Warriors to titles and into the NCAA Tournament.

"You look back at the years we won (1994, 2001, 2002) the WAC Tournament and we always had a go-to guy," head coach Riley Wallace said. "Carl thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread — and Savo was."

And, now, Lojeski?

If the 'Bows are to go anywhere in the tournament that opens for them tomorrow against Utah State at the Pan American Center on the New Mexico State campus, then Lojeski has been voted most likely — and necessary — to take them there. If the 'Bows are to stave off elimination in this one-and-done environment, then he is their best bet.

No one has been more consistent (16.8 points per game) or more suited this year. To be sure no one has been hotter, coming off a career-high 35 points in the regular season finale against Boise State Saturday. Fifty-five points in two games. Six consecutive double-figure scoring nights. Rarely an off night; never an excuse.

"I need some guys to step up and say, 'hey, we're gonna go get this thing,' and then go do it," Wallace said. "So they go and do some things to win for you."

The preparation of Lojeski started earlier this year with Wallace encouraging him to shoot more, to be more assertive offensively. To, at times, forsake the pass and be a little selfish when he had his shot. It is advice he's not only taken to heart but done so wisely. Lojeski is currently making 54.8 percent of his field goals and threatening to pass Clarence "Pop" Dickerson (55.2 percent in 1981-82) for the best percentage by a UH guard. All the while a marked man for defenses.

"He's on a (roll) ... and capable of a lot of big nights," acknowledges Aggies' coach Stew Morrill. "We've got to do something to get him stopped."

Lojeski can't do it alone, of course. None of them did. But Ruffin, Savovic and English were the players who, when the heat was on, rose to the occasion and, in doing so, inspired the team around them. Ruffin in Salt Lake City, and Savovic and English in Tulsa.

The 2001 team was late in finding its chemistry going but 17-14 — and the last three wins came in the WAC Tournament. It is a team Wallace has more and more compared to this one for the way these 'Bows have won eight of their last 11 games, beginning to come to grips with their roles and potential.

"We've got as good a shot as the year we won 17 (games)," Wallace said.

And, they just might, depending upon who steps up to do the shooting in their moment of need.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.