HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with an emphatic 97-67 win over UH Hilo in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic Wednesday night at the SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH led from wire-to-wire and by double-digits for the majority of the game en route to claiming its 12th season opening win in the last 13 years. Six different Rainbow Warriors scored in double digits, including Bernardo da Silva who notched 16 points and 10 rebounds for his second career double-double.
 
It marked the first time since 2012 (vs. Chaminade) that UH had that many players in double-digitis. Junior Madut dropped in 17 points, Noel Coleman added 15 and Zoar Nedd finished with a career-high 10. Jerome Desrosiers (11 points, nine rebounds) and Amoro Lado (12 points, four assists) also were impressive in their debut as Rainbow Warriors.
 
Both teams got off to a sloppy start but UH eventually built a commanding lead midway through the first half. The Vulcans missed 12 of its first 13 shots and UH bolted out to a 21-3 lead with 10 minutes left in the half. The 'Bows eventually took a 40-28 advantage into the locker room
 
The Vulcans showed fight in the second half and cut the deficit to 52-44, with 13:23 left in the game. However, Desrosiers drained a three that put UH back up by double-digits and spark a 15-0 run, putting any doubt to rest. The 'Bows, who shot 49 percent for the game, built its lead to as many as 34 points.
 
UH drained 12 three pointers and pounded the the Vulcans inside, finishing with a 51-25 win on the boards. UH also got a healthy 57-point effort from its bench.
 
UH will next face Northern Colorado on day two of the Outrigger Classic. UNC got by Pacific, 67-65, in the opening game of the tournament. Tipoff between the Rainbow Warriors and Bears is 7 p.m. on Thrusday.