Box Score

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Warrior basketball team got its first game action of the season with a 76-65 exhibition win over UH Hilo Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. Senior Bill Amis led the way for UH with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

 

It wasn't easy for the 'Bows who needed every bit of Amis' monster effort. Hawai`i was without a full squad as four key players—senior forward Brandon Adams and newcomers Douglas Kurtz, Jeremy Lay, Dwain Williams—were all sidelined. Meanwhile, all-conference forward Roderick Flemings was limited to just 24 minutes, scoring 14 points. Junior point guard Hiram Thompson, picked up the slack finishing with 19 points and four assists, while draining 11-of-12 free throws.

 

The game was tied at halftime and UH Hilo led by as many as five early in the second half, before UH pulled away late. The Rainbow Warriors shot 54 percent in the second half and went on a 12-4 run midway through the second half to seal the win.

 

Both teams showed rust early on. UH had nine turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the game, but eventually settled down. The Rainbow Warriors used their considerable size advantage to finish with 14 blocked shots and a 43-31 rebound advantage.

 

The Vulcans battled tough from the very beginning and held a five-point lead in each half. UH-Hilo led for the first seven minutes of the second half, before the Rainbow Warriors got on track. UH took a 56-55 lead on a Flemings dunk with just under 10 minutes and never trailed again, building its lead to eight points with five minutes remaining. UH sealed the game on the free throw line, where they finished 22-of-26.

 

Amis, one of six seniors on the UH squad, shot 12-of-16 from the floor, while also adding five blocks, two assists and two steals. The injury-riddled 'Bows had just eight players see action.

 

The Rainbow Warriors will play its second exhibition game of the season when they host BYU-Hawaii on Thursday, Nov. 5. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.