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HONOLULU – For the second straight game the University of Hawai`i men's basketball team put on a dominating performance with a 71-49 win over Idaho Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 12-11 overall and 4-7 in the Western Athletic Conference with its third win in its last four games.

 

A month after suffering a 20-point loss at Idaho—its largest margin of defeat this season—it was time for payback as the 'Bows handed the Vandals (10-12, 4-5 WAC) their worst conference loss of the year. UH led by as many as 29 points in a win paved by smothering defense and a huge performance by sophomore guard Kareem Nitoto.

 

Nitoto scored a career-high 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while adding six rebounds. More importantly he spearheaded a defense that shut down Vandal playmaker Mac Hopson. Hopson finished with five points, nearly 12 points below his average, and just three assists.

 

Two nights after holding Fresno State to 43 points, the Rainbow Warrior defense held its second straight opponent to under 50 points. The Vandals scored just 17 first-half points and had just one assist to 11 turnovers at the break. Idaho finished the game shooting 38 percent, including 1-of-13 from behind the arc.

 

UH played without starting forward Bill Amis, but didn't miss a beat, shooting a season-high 57 percent from the floor and out-rebounding the Vandals, 33-18.

 

Hawai`i never trailed in the game and like its win over Fresno State, got off to a quick start. UH opened with eight unanswered points then used an 11-2 run at the end of the half to take a 28-17 lead into the locker room.

 

UH continued its aggression in the second half with a 19-7 run to push its lead to 23 points. Junior Roderick Flemings scored 12 of his 16 points after the break, including a rousing dunk with seven minutes left that gave the 'Bows a 57-28 lead. Flemings also added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.

 

The 'Bows conclude their three-game homestand with a contest versus Nevada on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

 

-UH-