Fresno State, SMU set for Hawaii Bowl

Fresno State says it has accepted an invitation to play former UH coach June Jones’ SMU team in the Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium on Christmas Eve.

Bowl and Fresno State athletics officials confirmed Sunday that the Bulldogs (9-3) will play in the Dec. 24 game against the Mustangs (6-6).

Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said his team is in for a challenge in competing against SMU. Fresno State finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Mountain West.

"Having been to an earlier Hawaii Bowl as an assistant coach, I know the players and coaches are in for a fantastic week," DeRuyter said.

SMU accepted its invitation last week. SMU athletic director Rick Hart said the game is a tremendous reward for the school’s players. SMU finished second in Conference USA’s West Division.

"Having been affiliated with this bowl since its inception, I know that it is one of the best bowl experiences in college football," June Jones said when his team accepted the invite. "I’m very excited for our players, staff and fans. This is a special experience."

Jones coached UH for nine years, leaving for SMU in 2008.

Freitas wins stand-up event in Brazil

Hawaii’s Mo Freitas won the Ubatuba Pro on the Stand-up World Tour surfing contest Sunday in Brazil.

The 15-year-old from Haleiwa defeated two-time event champion Leco Salazar in the closing minutes of the finals with a score of 9.8.

With the final event in the British Virgin Islands next week, Freitas is ninth overall in the points standings.

Bowditch leads Q-school

LA QUINTA, Calif. » Australia’s Steven Bowditch shot an 8-under 64 on PGA West’s Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course to take a one-stroke lead after the fifth round of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament.

Bowditch had a 23-under 337 total in the six-round event. The final top 25 and ties will receive 2013 PGA Tour cards and the next 50 and ties will earn Web.com Tour cards.

Kaneohe native Dean Wilson struggled to a 2 over par 74 to drop from a tie for 61st to a tie for 98th, nine strokes out of 25th and three strokes out of 75th.

Kaneko out of LPGA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. » Canada’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham shot a 5-under 67 to tie Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn for the top spot in the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament, leading the 20 players who earned full status.

Lee-Bentham and Jutanugarn finished the five-round event at 13-under 347 at LPGA International. Jutanugarn shot a 74 after taking a six-stroke lead into the day.

Hawaii’s Ayaka Kaneko shot a 74 to finish at plus 8, ending the tournament in 68th place. After playing on the LPGA Tour last year, Kaneko earned 2013 membership onto the Symetra Tour, as did Stephanie Kono, who missed Saturday’s cut.

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