81
Christian Standhardinger had 20 points and 15 rebounds in his exhibition debut and the Hawaii men’s basketball team held off Hawaii Pacific 75-67 tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.
HPU got to within 68-64 with 1:09 to play, but the new-look Rainbow Warriors put away the Division II Sea Warriors at the free-throw line.
Hauns Brereton added 15 points for UH, while newcomers Brandon Spearman (11 points), Isaac Fotu (10) and Brandon Jawato (10) chipped in with double figures.
UH, minus injured top returnee Vander Joaquim, jumped out to a fast start behind Brereton and led by 14 early. But the Sea Warriors closed the first half on an 8-0 run to make it 36-32 at halftime.
The ‘Bows reasserted control behind Standhardinger with a 9-0 run early in the second half.
UH went with a starting lineup of Jace Tavita at point guard, Spearman at shooting guard, Brereton at small forward, and Standhardinger and Fotu as power forwards.
Guard Malte Ziegenhagen led the Sea Warriors with 19 points.
UH’s regular-season opener is next Friday vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore in the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.
