HONOLULU, Oahu--In a game that counted for the home team but was an exhibition for UH Hilo, host Hawai`i pulled away late in the second half for a 97-67 victory on Wednesday night.
It was the season opener for the Rainbow Warriors in front of 2,180 fans at Simplifi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. It was a "practice" game for the Vulcans, who will do the same with another exhibition on Thursday against the University of Pacific (4:30 pm).
Freshman
Donald McHenry led the Vulcans with 13 points. Guard
Darren Williams added 12 points and four steals, and
Jamie Strong came off the bench to tally double figure numbers with 10 points.
The Vulcans dug a huge hole for themselves early that was hard to climb out of.
Hawai`i jumped out to a 6-0 lead and UHH didn't score its first bucket until five and a half minutes had run off the clock. The Rainbow Warriors would increase their lead to 17-2 and 21-3 at the halfway point of the first half.
The Vulcans would rally back, closing the gap to 40-28 at the half. After intermission, they would pull within eight points (52-44) on a McHenry three-pointer, but Hawaii would pull away again for the final 30-point tally.
UH Hilo hit 10 of 25 three-pointers, but shot only 37 percent from the field ovealll. Junior Madut led six Hawaii players in double figures with 17 points.
The Vulcans will play the Tigers of Pacific on Thursday, who lost 67-65 to Northern Colorado earlier on Wednesday.
