HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team shook off a slow start before dominating North Dakota in a 92-55 rout on Friday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
The Rainbow Warriors (6-2) used a stellar effort on both ends of the court for its sixth win in their first seven home games. All but one of those wins have come by double-digits.
UH shot a season-best 58 percent from the field, including a phenomenal 76 percent on two-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Warriors were just as good on the defensive end, stifling the Fighting Hawks to just 32 percent shooting, the lowest by a UH opponent this year.
Dre Bullock and Gytis Nemeiksa led five 'Bows in double-digits with 15 points apiece on a combined 12-of-18 shooting.
Isaac Johnson tallied 14 points and six rebounds and finished 4-of-4 from the free throw line to extend his school record of consecutive free throws made to 38 straight.
Meanwhile,
Isaiah Kerr provided a spark off the bench. Returning to the court from a two-game absence. Kerr had a season-high 12 points, three rebounds and two assists, much of it during the decisive first half.
North Dakota entered the game as one of the top teams in the nation in steals and turnover margin and gave UH issues early. The 'Bows committed three turnovers in their first four possessions and were down by three, 21-18, past the midpoint of the first half.
But UH began to elude the UND pressure in executing its halfcourt offense and generated a multitude of transition opportunities on some pressure defense of its own. A 14-0 run turned that three-point deficit into a double-digit lead and the 'Bows eventually took a 44-30 lead into the locker room. UH shot a scorching 61 percent in the first half, while out-scoring the Fighting Hawks, 17-1, on fast break points.
UH didn't let up in the second half. The 'Bows set the tone by scoring 10 of the first 11 points and eventually built a lead that ballooned to 30 points with seven minutes left. UH ended the game on a 13-0 run to finish with its largest margin of victory this year.
The Rainbow Warriors now turn their attention to the start of Big West play when they host a pair of games next week, beginning with a meeting versus UC Davis on Thursday, Dec. 4. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Bankoh Arena.
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