Box Score Box Score

HONOLULU - Hawai'i scored the first 13 points of the game en route to a 76-52 victory over Norfolk State, Friday night on the first day of the Nike Tip-Off Tournament. A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 6,010 watched as the Rainbow Warriors won their 10th season opener in head coach Riley Wallace's 16th season.

Sophomore guard Carl English scored a game-high 20 points starting in place of senior Predrag Savovic, who was held out for precautionary reasons. Since the NCAA has yet to notify the University about the players regarding the status of their eligibility, Savovic along with newcomers Luc-Arthur Vebobe and Nkeruwem Akpan will sit out this weekend's tournament. English, who scored 16 of his points in the first half, finished with eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four 3-pointers.

Sophomore Haim Shimonovich scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, in posting his first career double-double. The 6-foot-10 center also led the team in assists (5) while playing 35 minutes.

Other starters recording double-figure points were senior Mindaugas Burneika (15), Mark Campbell (11) and Phil Martin (10). Martin, who is recovering from a severe ankle sprain suffered two weeks ago, was a last minute addition to the starting lineup when Mike McIntyre's thigh stiffened. McIntyre still played 18 minutes, scoring two points.

Through the first seven minutes of the game, the Rainbow Warriors held a 17-7 lead on the Spartans, who were picked to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. A 21-0 Hawai'i run over the next 6:12, gave the 'Bows its largest lead at 38-7.

Hawaii went into the half with a 46-20 advantage. UH connected on 51.6 percent of its field goal attempts including a 6-of-8 performance beyond the 3-point arc.

Drake defeated Sam Houston State, 74-65 in the day's first game. The tournament continues Sunday, Nov. 18, with Sam Houston State facing off against Norfolk State at 5:00 p.m. followed by the championship game pitting Hawai'i and Drake.

-uh-