RIVERSIDE, Calif.  – The University of Hawai'i started off Big West play in winning fashion with an 88-83 road victory at UC Riverside Friday afternoon at the SRC Arena. UH improved to 3-0 overall on the season.
 
Senior post player James Jean-Marie scored a career-high 24 points, including eight straight points during a critical stretch in the second half, to give the Rainbow Warriors a win in its Big West opener for the third straight year. Junior Madut added 21 points and seven rebounds for the 'Bows who won for the fifth time in their last six visits to Riverside.
 
They did so impressively against a stout UCR team (3-2, 0-1 Big West). The Highlanders entered the game as one of the top defensive teams in the nation in points allowed (55.3) and field goal percentage defense (.359). UH however ended up exploding for 88 points and shot 49 percent from the field, including 59 percent in the decisive second half.  
 
With both teams coming off extended layoffs, there was plenty of rust to shake off, particularly offensively. But UH turned to its defense and transition offense to take a 30-26 lead at the half. UH parlayed 11 Highlander turnovers into 14 points, while the 'Bows had just one turnover.
 
UH never trailed in the second half but needed to hold off the Highlanders on several occasions. After taking a 10-point lead, UCR tied the game up 48-48 with 11 minutes left. But the Rainbow Warriors eventually rebuilt its lead to 12 points on the shoulders of Jean-Marie. In his first career start, the senior scored eight straight points during one stretch, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers to give the 'Bows a 70-58 edge.
 
UCR rallied hard in the waning minutes but would get no closer than three points as UH sealed the game at the free throw line where it scored its final nine points. Two other Rainbow Warriors finished in double-figures as Noel Coleman added a career-best 11 points and Justin Webster finished with 10.
 
The teams will complete their two-game series on Saturday with a 4 p.m. PT/2:00 p.m. HT tip at SRC Arena.