The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team secured a decisive 98-46 victory over Hawaii Hilo on Wednesday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. This win marks the Rainbow Warriors’ fifth consecutive victory, bringing their season record to 9-2, which is their best start since the 2015-16 season.
Hawai’i established a double-digit lead within the first four minutes and maintained control throughout the game. By halftime, they led 48-24 and continued to extend their advantage in the second half. The team remains undefeated in all 14 regular-season meetings against Hawaii Hilo.
The 52-point margin was the third largest in school history and the biggest since a 57-point win over Redlands on January 28, 1972.
The Rainbow Warriors were effective against Hilo’s zone defense, shooting 51 percent from the field and making a season-high 13 three-pointers. They recorded 25 assists on their 35 field goals. Defensively, Hawai’i limited Hawaii Hilo to just 33 percent shooting from the floor and only two successful three-pointers out of fifteen attempts.
Harry Rouhliadeff led six players scoring in double figures with 16 points, nine rebounds, and a career-high five assists. Dre Bullock contributed twelve points on efficient shooting. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor added eleven points along with five assists and no turnovers. Hunter Erickson, Isaac Finlinson, and Gytis Nemeiksa also scored eleven points each.
Hawai’i started strong by scoring six unanswered points and missed only one of its first eight shots. The team made five of its first seven three-point attempts to build an early seventeen-point lead less than eight minutes into play. At halftime, they had assisted on sixteen of nineteen field goals.
In the second half, Bullock scored nine points during an eleven-to-two run that increased Hawai’i’s lead to thirty-nine points. The bench received significant playing time late in the game as AJ Economou made his first two career three-pointers for UH.
Hawai’i finished with a season-low six turnovers while outscoring Hawaii Hilo by wide margins in both turnover-generated (24-7) and second-chance (26-5) points.
The Rainbow Warriors will conclude their current homestand by hosting UTEP on Saturday, December 13 at Bankoh Arena with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The evening will feature several promotions including an autograph session with members of the Rainbow Warrior football team.
