HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team overcame a lackluster start and put down the defensive clamps in a 59-41 win over Hawaii Pacific Sunday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 6-2 on the season with their third straight win.
 
UH limited HPU to just 30 percent shooting – including just 1-of-16 on three-pointers –  and held the Sharks scoreless for nearly a 10-minute stretch bridging the first and second halves to win comfortably.
 
Eddie Stansberry scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half to lead UH. Drew Buggs added nine  points, five assists and five rebounds, while Samuta Avea and Dawson Carper each chipped in eight points.
 
UH came out lethargic offensively, missing 11 of its first 13 shots and scoring just four points through the first nine minutes to trail the Sharks by five. But a tip-in dunk by Avea ignited a 12-2 run that put the 'Bows up for good.
 
UH held HPU scoreless for the final 6:31 of the first half as the 'Bows took a 25-15 lead at the break. HPU shot just  21 percent in the first 20 minutes.
 
The 'Bows continued to shut the Sharks down in the second half, keeping them off the scoreboard for more than three minutes after the break. Meanwhile, another 12-2 run midway through the second half gave UH a commanding 18-point lead that eventually ballooned to as many as 21.
 
The Rainbow Warriors next head for the road for a meeting with nationally-ranked Oregon on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tipoff is 4:00 p.m. PT/2:00 p.m. HT.