HONOLULU – Fans got their first glimpse of the 2022-23 University of Hawai'i men's basketball team and were treated to an impressive offensive display  in an 87-71 exhibition win over Hawai'i Hilo Thursday night at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
 
The Rainbow Warriors shot 61 percent from the field and went 13-of-28 on three-pointers to lead handily throughout.  Noel Coleman started right where he left off last year, exploding for 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-8 on three-pointers. In his much-anticipated debut Juan Munoz poured in 16 points in just 20 minutes of action. Meanwhile Kamaka Hepa added 11 points and six rebounds.  
 
The game was back-in-forth for the first five minutes. But the 'Bows used a 14-2 run to take a double-digit lead that they would maintain through the rest of the game. UH shot a sizzling 62 percent in the first half, including 7-of-16 from long range, to take a 45-32 lead into the locker room. The trio of Munoz, Coleman and Hepa combined to score 31 of the team's points in the first frame.
 
The 'Bows remained just as hot in the second half, shooting 60 percent from the field as their lead ballooned to as many as 24 points. All 14 players who dressed saw action for the 'Bows with 11 of them finishing in the scoring column.  The UH bench out-scored the UH Hilo bench by a 43-11 margin.
 
The Warriors will officially open the regular-season in the 57^th annual OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic, Nov. 11-14. UH will start the tournament with a matchup with Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.