HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got off to a strong start and never looked back in an 88-56 rout of Mississippi Valley State on the opening night of the 59th OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
UH (2-1) scored the first nine points of the game then used a massive run in the final eight minutes of the first half to win comfortably at home for the second straight game.
Holding a 21-18 lead with less than eight minutes to go in the first half, UH exploded for 11 straight points in the next two minutes. It was a precursor to a 28-5 run to end the half as the Rainbow Warriors built a commanding 49-23 lead at the break.
UH shot 58 percent in the first half, while assisting on 12 of its 15 made field goals.
Aaron Hunkin-Claytor had seven of those assists, setting a new career-high in the first half alone. The sophomore guard finished with 11 assists, the highest total for a 'Bow in the last five years
Meanwhile, senior captain
Harry Rouhliadeff also enjoyed a career-night offensively scoring 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 3-of-4 from three.
Hunter Erickson also tied his career high with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting and 4-of-7 on threes.
UH did the job defensively, holding the Delta Devils (1-3) to just 34 percent shooting, including just 24 percent in the decisive first half. The 'Bows shut down Delta Devil guard Michael James, who came into the game averaging 24.7 ppg. The junior was held to just 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 on threes.
The 'Bows shot 50 percent for the game, went 10-of-23 from deep and mauled the Delta Devils on the boards, 45-24.
The OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic will resume on Friday, Nov. 14 as the 'Bows take on Manhattan at 7:00 p.m. The Jaspers defeated Utah Tech, 79-75, in the opening game of the tournament.
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