Hawaii ran away with another early-season victory.

The rested Rainbow Warriors pushed past Delaware State with numerous baskets in transition and prevailed 75-60 before a Tuesday night crowd of 2,997 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Bolstered by a rare stretch of three straight days of regular practice, UH (7-2) was sound defensively. Its frequent pest control of the Hornets — they were held to 37.7 percent shooting — fueled open-court attacks, leading to a 20-4 advantage in fast-break points.

Sophomore forward Aaron Valdes led the highlight package with three breakaway dunks as part of his game-high 19 points. Guard Garrett Nevels had his most efficient shooting game of the young season, going 5-for-8 for 15 points. Swingman Negus Webster-Chan hit two early 3s to help UH lead wire-to-wire and finished with 11 points.

UH had to run its halfcourt offense only intermittently.

"It all starts off on our defense," Nevels said. "Securing the rebound, getting a steal. And just pushing it hard the other way and running lanes."

The ‘Bows now head to Salt Lake City to take on BYU (6-2) at the Utah Jazz’s EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday, in what could be their most challenging test thus far.

"Twenty-four-hour rule," Nevels said of enjoying Tuesday’s outcome.

UH took a 12-point halftime lead on the strength of just two first-half turnovers, then opened the second half on a 9-0 run. The Hornets (3-4) fell behind by 23 and got no closer than 15 in the final minutes.

It was UH’s first game at the Sheriff since routing Hawaii Hilo on Nov. 19, followed by a win over Pittsburgh on Maui and a 2-1 showing in a Florida tournament. The setting made no difference, as UH won for the fifth time in six games.

"I thought the effort was great tonight," Taylor said. "I think that was the closest 40 minutes we’ve put together since Pitt. I think it’s attributable to getting some rest, getting in the gym and working on some things."

Valdes had two breakaway dunks in the first half, then threw down a third to make it 54-33 with 12 minutes to play in the game.

Freshman Isaac Fleming flushed it on the fast break on a dime from Webster-Chan with seven minutes left.

In Fleming’s first real action in three games, the Delaware native finished with nine points, six rebounds and four assists off the bench.

The Hornets of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference arrived Monday afternoon, a day late, because of mechanical problems and delays flying in from the East Coast. It showed in their legs on deep shots.

DSU hit eight 3s in a 72-65 upset win at Wake Forest last Friday, but couldn’t buy a long ball. Coach Keith Walker’s team went 0-for-13 before finally connecting in the last three minutes and finishing 2-for-18.

The Hornets entered the game shooting 35.4 percent from deep. Guard Amere May, who scored a career-best 32 against Wake, was held to 2-for-13 shooting and finished with just four points.

"We heard they were a good individual team, like 1-on-1, they can take players off the dribble," Valdes said. "So our main focus was to keep them in front of us, limit their shots or make them take bad shots. I think we did that tonight."

Hornets center Kendall Gray had 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, but the bulk of his damage came in the first half. UH zoned heavily from there and held him in check by committee.

"We made it personal to stop him," Valdes said.

With the game well in hand, fourth-year junior guard Brandon Jawato hit a 3-pointer with six minutes left, his first basket of the season. Jawato led UH in 3-pointers as a freshman but struggled last year while dealing with ankle problems.

"It’s great to see him go out there and hit his shot," Nevels said. "‘Wato is a really good shooter, so hopefully he can show some more of that."

Gray power-dunked it on Mike Thomas and earned the and-1 with 3:38 to go in the first half, forcing Thomas to take a seat with eight points, four rebounds and two fouls. That was Thomas’ finishing line.

Gray had nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the period. But he was the lone bright spot for the visitors, who trailed 35-23 at the break.