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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team burst out of the gates in its season opener, taking down Tennessee State 85-55 in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center
 
Spurred by an aggressive defensive effort, the revamped Rainbow Warriors notched its largest season-opening win since a 34-point win over UH Hilo in 1982 and its largest ever win against a Division I opponent on opening night.
 
Christian Standhardinger led UH with 20 points and 12 rebounds in just 21 minutes. It was the 10^th career double-double for the senior. Isaac Fotu chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds, while newcomer Garrett Nevels poured in 13 points, all of it coming the first half when UH built a sizeable 21-point lead. Senior center Davis Rozitis provided a spark off the bench with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
UH got off to a quick start, scoring the first seven points of the game. TSU tied it up minutes later, but after that it was all Rainbow Warriors. UH scored nine straight to take the lead for good and led by as many as 23 points before taking a 41-20 lead at the break. Standhardinger and Nevels combined for 25 of the team's 41 first half points. The 'Bows, who forced seven TSU turnovers in first seven minutes of the game, had eight steals and four blocks in the first half alone.
 
UH continued to roll in the second half, leading by as many 32 points with the reserves playing out the final 10 minutes.  Thirteen of 14 players who suited saw action with 10 players different players getting into the scoring column.
 
The 'Bows held the Tigers to just 29 percent shooting in the first half and just 1-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc for the game. UH finished with a 47-28 advantage on the boards and showed their aggression on the offensive end also, earning 37 free throw attempts.

Western Michigan defeated New Mexico State, in the second game of the evening, 70-64.
 
The 'Bows will next face Western Michigan on night two of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. New Mexico State and Tennessee State will square off before that at 5:00 p.m.