HONOLULU – The University of Hawaii men's basketball team got off to a fast start and didn't let up in a comfortable 81-45 win over Hawaii Pacific in an exhibition contest Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Coming on the heels of  a foreign tour through Australia this summer,  the Rainbow Warriors, looked in mid-season form with crisp execution on both ends of the court. UH shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field, while holding the Sharks to just 29 percent.
 
Much of the damage came inside where UH out-scored HPU, 46-16. Junior forward Zigmars Raimo  led UH with 20 points, while also adding eight rebounds and four assists. Senior Jack Purchase chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while guards Eddie Stansberry (12 points) and Brocke Stepteau (10) led the Rainbow Warrior backcourt.  
 
After spotting HPU the first bucket of the game, UH proceeded to score the next 10 points and never looked back. The 'Bows built a double-digit lead barely five minutes into the game and led by as many as 20 points, before taking a 41-23 leading into the locker room.
 
The 'Bows maintained their intensity in the second half and were never threatened after the break. The Sharks would get no closer that 14 points in the second half and the 'Bows exploded for a 25-2 run to slam the door shut.
 
UH dominated in nearly every statistical category, out-rebounding the Sharks 41-23, and took care of the ball by committing just nine turnovers. Eleven of the 13 players who saw action got in the scoring column.  
 
The Rainbow Warriors now turn their attention to the its regular-season opener in a week. UH will host Portland on Friday, Nov. 9 in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.