For the first time this season, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is on a winning streak.

After two victories at home last week, the Rainbow Warriors are surprisingly near the top of the Western Athletic Conference standings.

Hawai'i beat Fresno State, 75-62, on Saturday to improve to 7-10 overall and 3-2 in the WAC. The 'Bows are in fourth place in the conference, 1 1/2 games behind first-place Utah State.

"Anything is possible," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We're playing with the mindset that we can win (the WAC). We're not just going to go away because we lost some games early."

As proof, the 'Bows practiced yesterday — less than 24 hours after the victory over Fresno State. Nash normally gives the team a day off after Saturday night games.

"We have a good rhythm going right now with our shooting, and we didn't want to take two days off in a row," Nash said. "The guys were all for it, and we had a good workout."

The 'Bows will depart Honolulu early this morning for a two-game WAC road trip to the state of Idaho. They will play at Boise State Thursday, then at Idaho Saturday.

The team is scheduled to meet at the Stan Sheriff Center at 6 a.m. today, and arrive in Boise around 6:30 p.m.

"It's going to be a long day of travel," Nash said. "That's why we felt it was important to get this practice in (yesterday). We'll travel and then rest (today), and then get back at it on Tuesday."

Nash said he wanted the team to leave today so they could have tomorrow and Wednesday to prepare for Thursday's game.

Hawai'i — which also defeated San Jose State, 65-64, last Monday — has won three of its last four games, including two straight for the first time this season.

The 'Bows were home for the past two weeks, and went 2-1, with the only loss to Nevada.

"Our goal was to protect our home court and win all three," Nash said. "We didn't get that, but winning two of three is still a successful stand."

Senior point guard Matt Gibson averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists during the homestand. He also made the game-winning layup in the victory over San Jose State.

"Guys are understanding their roles," Nash said. "Matt has accepted his role as our leader and point guard. We have guys buying into the team concept, and if we keep doing that, we'll be successful."

Gibson now ranks sixth in the WAC in scoring with 15.8 points per game, third in assists with 4.9 per game, and third in steals with 1.9 per game.

Nash also credited the improved play of post players P.J. Owsley and Bill Amis for the team's recent success.

Owsley had 14 points and five rebounds in Hawai'i's two victories last week. Amis — who usually comes in off the bench to relieve Owsley — contributed 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, and 10 rebounds in the two wins.

"I think those guys are starting to give us an identity in the post," Nash said.

In any case, Nash said the 'Bows must still prove they can win on the road to remain in the WAC race. Hawai'i is 1-3 away from home this season.

"Boise is going to be a tough test," Nash said. "They're coming off a big road win at Nevada, and they have an experienced group that is playing well. But we feel like we have some momentum as well, and we want to take that with us on the road."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.