HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team opened its 2019-20 campaign with an inspired 65-52 win over Florida A&M in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
 
Two days after head coach Eran Ganot took a medical leave of absence, the Rainbow Warriors came out with energy and passion under acting head coach Chris Gerlufsen to win its season opener for the 10^th time in the last 11 seasons. The Rainbow Warriors directed most of that energy on the defensive end where they held the Rattlers (0-2) to just 12 points in the decisive first half.
 
Samuta Avea led UH with a career-high 15 points and nine rebounds. True freshman forward Bernado da Silva showed flashes of brilliance in his UH debut with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in 18 minutes off the bench. Meanwhile, junior point guard Drew Buggs added nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
 
UH led from wire-to-wire and broke the game open early by holding FAMU scoreless for nearly 10 minutes in the first half. The Rattlers shot just 20 percent and turned the ball over 10 times as the 'Bows took a 32-12 lead into the locker room.  UH led by 20 at the half despite their own offensive struggles, shooting 31 percent from the field, including 3-15 from beyond the arc.
 
The 'Bows were never threatened in the second half, holding FAMU scoreless for another nearly five-minute stretch and building their lead to as many as 26 points before winning by 13. UH moved to a perfect 15-0 against MEAC schools.
 
In the first game of the tournament, South Dakota defeated Pacific, 72-62.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 10 when they take on South Dakota at 5:00 p.m. Florida A&M and Pacific proceed that contest at 2:30 p.m.