FULLERTON, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team put together a statement win with a 90-79 victory over Utah in the opening round of the Wooden Legacy at Titan Gym. UH shot 53 percent from the field, 89 percent from the line, and had five players score in double-digits to pick up just the third win by a Big West team in the opening round of the Wooden Legacy.
 
With the victory, the Rainbow Warriors advanced to the tournament semifinals where they will face Seton Hall on Friday at 8:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. HT.
 
On a night when the UH frontcourt got in foul trouble and leading scorer Zigmars Raimo was held scoreless, it was the Rainbow Warrior guards who took over the game. Brocke Stepteau scored a career-high 24 points and added five assists to lead an inspired backcourt.
 
Hawai'i led by eight at halftime and extended its lead to as many as 23 points in the second half. The Utes tried to rally but UH sealed the game at the free throw line where they hit 13 straight to close the game. In all UH went 25-of-28 from the charity stripe with Stepteau going 12-of-13.
 
With top bigs Raimo and Mate Colina saddled on the bench with foul trouble, UH still hung tough with a big and physical Utes squad. UH held the Utes to just 38 percent shooting in the first half. The 'Bows, meanwhile, shot 57 percent from the floor and took a 39-31 lead in to the locker room.
 
UH continued its momentum in the second half, going on a 12-2 run after the break to more than double its lead.  UH didn't make a field goal in the final  6:14 of the game, but still won by double-digits after building a comfortable lead and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch.
 
UH guards Eddie Stansberry (15 points), Sheriff Drammeh (11), and Drew Buggs (10) all finished in double-digit scoring, while senior forward Jack Purchase finished with 14. The Bows finished with 19 assists, while committing just eight turnovers.