HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got off to a torrid start and never looked back in a 94-73  win over Samford Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors improved to 7-3 on the season with their fourth win in the last five games.
 
Five different Rainbow Warriors scored in double-figures led by Eddie Stansberry's 23 points off of five three-pointers. Dawson Carper had 14 points and Justin Webster recorded a career-high 15 points off of four three-pointers of his own. UH buried 13 three-pointers in all – one short of a school record – en route to a season-high in points. UH's 94-point outburst was its best since a 114 point-performance in an overtime win over Long Beach State in 2017.
 
The 'Bows led from wire-to-wire. UH nailed seven of its first 10 shots and built a 26-7 lead less than eight minutes into the contest. When Drew Buggs picked up his second foul and went to the bench, the Bulldogs (6-6) took advantage and were able to cut a 19-deficit to just four. But UH went on a 7-0 run to end the first half to take a 47-36 lead into the locker room.
 
UH started the second half, just like the first. The 'Bows went on a 10-2 run points to extend its lead back up to 19. The 'Bows padded its lead to as many as 27 points in the second half and were never seriously threatened after the break.  
 
Zigmars Raimo again flirted with a triple double, recording seven points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight assists. Samuta Avea added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Buggs finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
 
Josh Sharkey led Samford with 21 points, five assists and six steals.
 
UH dominated the Bulldogs on the glass, finishing with a 52-28 advantage. UH shot 52 percent from the field, including 39 percent on threes (13-of-33). The 33 three-point attempts tied a school record, while Stansberry's 16 three-point attempts set a new UH record, surpassing Zane Johnson's 15 at UC Davis in 2011.
 
The Rainbow Warriors now gear up for the 11th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. UH will open the tournament against former long-time WAC rival UTEP on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m.