Even without the services of guard Sheriff Drammeh, the Hawaii basketball team had little trouble with visiting Mississippi Valley State in a 76-51 rout this evening at the Stan Sheriff Center.

A crowd of 2,664 saw the Rainbow Warriors (6-4) decisively win their tune-up heading into the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, which begins on Saturday. They did it without the senior Drammeh, a four-year player who was not present on the bench after being absent from practices this week. He was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, UH said before the game.

The Rainbows outdid the Delta Devils (2-11) of the SWAC in just about every meaningful category, most notably shooting 52.8 percent to MVSU’s 35 percent.

Point guard Drew Buggs led UH with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, guard Brocke Stepteau added 12 points, as did forward Zigmars Raimo, who grabbed eight rebounds. Forward Jack Purchase grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds.

Eddie Stansberry, who stepped into the starting lineup for Drammeh, put in 11 points. A four-point play by Leland Green pushed the lead to 27 with 1:07 left and Justin Hemsley had his own chance at a four-point play soon afterward.

Emmanuel Ejeh led the Devils with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

UH led 39-20 at halftime and went on a 7-0 run coming out of intermission to build the lead to 26.