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LIHU'E, Kaua'i – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team fell behind big early but ran away late in a 94-84 win over Chaminade Saturday night at the Kaua'i High School Gymnasium. In its annual pilgrimage to the neighbor islands—this time to the Garden Isle—the Rainbow Warriors (7-2) overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half and got a career-best scoring binge by Christian Standhardinger to win its fifth straight game.
 
UH defeated its first Division II opponent, UH Hilo, by 51 points less than a month ago. This time around it wasn't so easy. UH trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half but used its superior size advantage to pound away at the undersized Silverswords (4-4). UH made 45 trips to the free throw line (32 made) as three different Chaminade players fouled out.   
 
Standhardinger tied his career high with 31 points for the 'Bows, scoring more than half of his points from the free throw line (16-of-21). The senior forward missed just two of his nine field goal attempts and also added eight rebounds.
 
Three other Rainbow Warriors finished in double-digits: Isaac Fotu poured in 18 points, Keith Shamburger scored 17 and Garrett Nevels added 16.
 
Chaminade jumped all over UH at the start. After the 'Bows scored the first two points of the game, the Swords reeled off 11 unanswered points and ultimately built its lead to 25-10 midway through the first half.
 
After begin burnt by the long ball, UH clawed their way back with some three-point shooting of its own as a well as frequent trips to the foul line (17-of-23 in the first half). The 'Bows retook the lead briefly, before the teams headed into the locker room knotted, 42-42, at the half.  
 
The game was still tied, 54-54, in the opening minutes of the second half, but a Nevel's three-pointer and a Fotu dunk put UH ahead and they wouldn't look back after that, building its cushion to as many as 11 points.
 
After their red-hot start in the opening 10 minutes of the game, the 'Swords cooled off considerably and finished the game shooting just 38 percent. UH shot 52 percent for the game and out-rebounded Chaminade, 40-31. UH tied its season high with nine blocks, including a career-high four swats by senior center Davis Rozitis.
 
The Rainbow Warriors next host the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Dec. 22, 23 and 25 at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH begins the tournament against former WAC nemisis Boise State on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8:00 p.m.