HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii men's basketball team started the season strong with an 82-66 win over UH Hilo Tuesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH claimed its 14th win in its last 15 season-openers with all 14 wins coming by double-digits.
 
A pair of newcomers made impressive debuts for the Rainbow Warriors. North Carolina transfer Justin McKoy led UH with 15 points while adding six rebounds. Meanwhile freshman and New Zealand native Tom Beattie chipped in 12 points in 23 minutes of action.
 
UH got off to a slow start initially, but after the opening minutes it was all 'Bows. The Vulcans held a 4-2 lead three minutes into the game, but UH then reeled off 10 unanswered points, capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Noel Coleman and Juan Munoz.
 
UH built its lead to as many as 18 points before taking a 35-23 lead into the locker room. The 'Bows shot 50 percent in the first half and were powered by a balanced attack that saw eight players in the scoring column. Defensively, UH held the Vulcans to just 32 percent shooting, including 0-of-9 from behind the arc.
 
It was more of the same coming out of the locker room. The Vulcans cut the deficit to nine in the early moments of the second half. UH however gained separation as the lead eventually ballooned to 23 points. Coleman finished with 10 points, while fellow senior Bernardo da Silva added nine points and seven rebounds. In his first regular-season game in more than two years and his first as a Rainbow Warrior, Juan Munoz came off the bench to add nine points and three assists in 19 minutes of action. Eight different players scored at least eight points and UH got 40 points from its reserves.
 
While the game was UH's regular-season opener, it served as an exhibition for the Division II Vulcans.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 16 when they take on Niagara in the first-ever meeting between the programs. Tipoff is 7:00 p.m. at SimpliFi Arena.