Box Score Box Score

HILO, Hawai`i – On the opening day of the 10th Annual Big Island Invitational Tournament, the University of Hawai`i men's basketball team overcame a slow start to race past Mercer, 89-72, Friday night at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Hawai`i advances to the championship round where they meet former Western Athletic Conference foe Colorado State in Saturday's first semi-final at 5:00 p.m.

Five Rainbow Warriors scored in doubles figures led by senior forward Mindaugas Burneika's 19. He also had all three of the team's 3-pointers. Senior Mike McIntyre started for the first time this season and scored 16 points. Sophomores Phil Martin and Carl English recorded double figures for the third time this season, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively. Center Haim Shimonovich put together a 12-point, eight-rebound effort while junior Mark Campbell had 11 assists.

Hawai`i, playing in its first neighbor island pre-season tournament, connected on a season-high 57.9 percent from the floor, including a 63.6 mark in the second half. Once again, the 'Bows ran their offense smoothly, as 26 of the team's 33 baskets, came off assists.

After racing out to a 7-0 lead to open the game, UH played catch-up and would not retake the lead until 7:21 (20-19) left in the first half. During a 6:00 stretch, Hawai`i held the Bears scoreless, while putting together an 11-0 run. UH went into the half with a 36-26 lead. Burneika and McIntyre each had eight points at the break.

The 'Bows made five of its first seven shots to begin the second half, to take a commanding 49-32 lead. UH increased its lead to as many as 21 (73-52) before the Bears made once last comeback attempt. An 11-2 run which culminated in Will Emerson's second 3-pointer of the half, cut the Hawai`i lead to 12 but Mercer could not get any closer than that.

The Rainbow Warriors (3-0) are off to its best start since winning its first five games to begin the 1997-98 season. They next meet the Rams (5-0), who defeated South Carolina State, 66-48, in the day's opening game. Brian Green scored 15 points to lead CSU.

Saturday's game will not be broadcast on KCCN due to a conflict with UH football.



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