HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got off to a fast start and never looked back in a 78-61 win over Charlotte in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Sunday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
 
With the win, the Rainbows Warriors (7-3) move on to the tournament semifinals where they will face Nebraska on Monday at 5:30 p.m. The Huskers cruised past Murray State, 66-49 in earlier action.
 
UH began the game on an 11-2 run and shot 64 percent in the first half to take a 13-point lead at the break. The 'Bows ballooned their lead to as many as 21 points in the second half.
 
Gytis Nemeikša tied his career high with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting and added seven rebounds to lead UH. Marcus Greene added a season-high 22 points and three assists.
 
UH improved to 7-1 at home this year and has won 13 of its last 14 at the SSC dating back to last year. It also marked the fourth time in the last five tries that UH has advanced to the Diamond Head Classic semifinals.
 
At one point in the first half the 'Bows converted 10 straight field goals to build their lead to as many as 16 points. UH took a 44-31 lead at the break on the strength of 64 percent shooting a combined 26 points by Greene (14) and Nemeiksa (12).
 
Charlotte (6-5) cut the deficit to nine early in the second half, but UH responded with nine straight points, capped by a Tanner Christensen three-point play to double its lead and seize control for good.
 
UH held the 49ers to just 37 percent shooting in the second half. The 'Bows out-rebounded Charlotte 37-21 and out-scored them 40-28 in the paint.
 
Sunday Results
Oregon State 74, Charleston 65
Oakland 72, Loyola Chicago 71
Nebraska 66, Murray State 49
Hawaii 78, Charlotte 61
 
Monday Schedule
Charleston vs. Loyola, 12:30 p.m.
Oregon State vs. Oakland, 3:00 p.m.
Nebraska vs. Hawai'i, 5:30 p.m.
Murray State vs. Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.