Well, that was certainly worth the late.

Maybe every University of Hawaii basketball game should tip off at 11 p.m.

The Rainbow Warriors are now 3-1 in these ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon games that start on one night and end the next morning.

This was the most lopsided win, 86-67 over Cal State Northridge — which played some sticky defense in the first half but lived up to its nickname of Matadors with plenty of ole action after the break.

Gotta cut the Rainbow Warriors’ future Big West compadres some slack, though. Tip-off was 1 a.m. West Coast time, and that’s late even when you’re 20 years old. Tired legs, and UH’s defense, also contributed to atrocious 3- for-23 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.

Some kids will run all night if you let them, though. Hawaii’s freshman point guard, Shaquille Stokes, scored all 14 of the points in his debut after Monday became Tuesday, stroking 3-pointers after the stroke of midnight.

That made sense, since Little Shaq said his summer pickup games at Grant Park in Harlem often didn’t get started until the witching hour.

"Too hot earlier," he said. "We’d play until the neighbors complained, 2 or 3 in the morning, and the guy would come turn out the lights."

There was no lack of electricity at the Stan Sheriff Center for the Rainbows’ opener. Even though the place was less than half full with about 3,000, it was a live 3,000 — a 3,000 that came to compete for trinkets, get on national TV and cheer their classmates on to victory.

Let’s say it with a sign:

Energy of
Students
Punished
Northridge

I WISH the kids could take over the place more often. This is what it’s supposed to be like. Positive, youthful energy in green and black body paint. No grouchy old men sitting on their hands in the front row … or worse, swearing at college kids because they miss a free throw once in a while — he can’t do that to our pledges … only we can do that to our pledges!

Yeah, I know, they pay the freight. Don’t worry, early-to- bed, early-to-rise season-ticket holders … coach Gib Arnold knows he needs you. Maybe he’ll come knocking on your door, too, like he did to rustle up the dormers.

But guys like Josh Olbrich are so much more fun. At intermission, the UH student from Palolo made a halfcourt shot to win a one-night stay at the Outrigger … interesting, since he has a part-time job at the Princess K.

I asked if he was missing out on some late-night studying in order to watch the ‘Bows live. "Nah, I’d probably be playing ‘Call of Duty.’ "

The rambunctious, vital gathering of students at the basketball opener provided a stark contrast to the ghost town of a student section at the last home football game two weeks ago at Aloha Stadium.

There were rumors of an organized protest because the students felt they were unfairly blamed for a fight near their seats.

"Yes, it might have been a protest," Olbrich said. "A protest that the team sucks."

At first glance, it appears that won’t be a problem with basketball this season. Maybe the students will continue to come out in force after enjoying this tasty midnight snack — assuming they’re up at 7 p.m.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.