HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team rolled to victory for the third straight home game with an 86-56 dismantling of Manhattan on the second night of the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
With the win, the 'Bows set themselves up with an opportunity to capture their second straight Rainbow Classic title when they face Utah Tech on Saturday night. The Trailblazers outlasted Mississippi Valley State in double-overtime, 81-75, earlier in the evening.
UH raced out of the gates early, led by 14 at the break, then poured it on in the second half behind a supreme performance by senior center
Isaac Johnson. Johnson scored 21 after the break on an array of three-pointers and dunks that got the crowd into a frenzy. The Utah native finished with a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks. Johnson shot 9-of-14 from the floor, while drilling 4 of 5 from deep.
Isaac Finlinson (14 points) and
Yacine Toumi (11) also finished in double-digits for a Rainbow Warrior squad that shot 52 percent in the second half.
UH jumped out on the Jaspers from the onset. Manhattan got on the scoreboard first, but the 'Bows reeled off 12 of the game's next 13 points. That set the tone for the 'Bows as UH clamped down on the Jaspers who missed 10 of their first 11 shots from the field.
Manhattan cut the deficit to four, 23-19, with 5:34 left in the half, but UH again went on a surge, scoring 11 unanswered to stake a double-digit lead. The 'Bows held a 38-24 lead at the intermission, committing just four turnovers in the first half while holding Manhattan to just 32 percent shooting.
The 'Bows went full throttle in the second half. Already up by 14, the 'Bows widened the margin with a 16-4 surge with Johnson accounting for 10 points in that stretch. He threw down a dunk off a lob from
Aaron Hunkin-Claytor while drawing a foul and his free throw gave UH a 63-37 lead with 11:46 left. Johnson later knocked down two three-pointers to push the lead past 30 with six minutes left and the 'Bows cruised to the final buzzer.
UH shot 9-of-20 from beyond the arc and vastly out-rebounded the Jaspers, 49-29. The 'Bows grabbed 15 offensive boards and built an 18-1 advantage in second-chance points.
The OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic concludes on Saturday, Nov. 15. Manhattan and Mississippi State meet at 4:30 p.m. and UH faces Utah Tech in the 7 p.m. tournament finale.
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