MALIBU, Calif. » Despite three players finishing with either season or career highs in points, a second-half collapse sabotaged Hawaii’s hopes for a rare road victory.

Pepperdine exploited the Rainbow Warriors’ problems for a 73-67 win Saturday night in front of 1,206 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

"We could’ve had a good win, but we let it slip away," said Shaquille Stokes, who scored 18 points. Joston Thomas added 15 points in his second start, and Hauns Brereton contributed 14 points off the bench.

Thomas recorded a season best, while Stokes and Brereton amassed the highest point totals of their brief careers.

"We had a great practice all week, but we had a lot of mental mistakes," Stokes said. "We weren’t mature enough."

Those mistakes included three technical fouls in the second half. Vander Joaquim committed a double technical that not only led to his ejection, but enabled Pepperdine (4-3) to build an advantage that would prove insurmountable.

In addition, UH (2-3) made nine turnovers in the second half — including seven in the first 10 minutes — and saw three starters foul out: Thomas, Zane Johnson and Trevor Wiseman.

"We’ve got to learn how to win on the road," said Rainbows coach Gib Arnold, whose team has lost three of four. "This team needs to be mentally stronger so we could have a chance at the end of the game."

But UH took early command. Stokes scored 11 points as the Rainbows built a 15-7 lead with 7:46 gone in the game.

The Waves forced a 31-31 halftime tie, then began the second half with an 8-2 spurt that put them ahead 39-33 with 2:03 gone in the half.

The collapse came after UH narrowed the deficit to 53-51 with 6:16 to play.

Taylor Darby’s lay-in and Caleb Willis’ two free throws extended the margin to 57-51 with 5:28 left. Then with 5:05 remaining, after Joaquim fouled Corbin Moore while trying to grab a rebound, Joaquim pushed Moore to earn a double technical and an automatic ejection.

With each technical worth two free throws and with Pepperdine already in the double-bonus, Moore had a chance to shoot six foul shots. He converted five to give the Waves a 62-51 lead.

"There’s something bothering him outside of (basketball)," Arnold said of Joaquim. "He wasn’t having a great night and he let his emotions get to him. To give up six free throws like that is unacceptable."

Johnson’s fourth personal foul 24 seconds later sent Moore back to the free-throw line, and the 6-foot-10 senior made one of two shots to lengthen UH’s deficit to 63-51.

Nevertheless, the Rainbows drew within 65-61 with 1:54 to play. However, Willis’ 3-point basket with 1:29 left gave the Waves a 68-61 lead.

"It was too much to overcome," Arnold said. "Obviously, the free-throw differential killed us."

Pepperdine made 27 of 35 free throws, while UH converted 16 of 19. Moore finished with a team-high 17 points, all in the second half, and Darby added 16 points.

"Taylor Darby and Corbin Moore broke our backs," said Arnold, who added that he was pleased with Thomas’ and Brereton’s performances.

"That’s the Hauns we recruited," Arnold said. "Here’s a guy who had a really good week of practice and earned some playing time. Joston is becoming more and more consistent.

"We’re not by any means down and out. We just know that we’ve got a long way to go and we’re going to try to get there as soon as possible."

Stokes succinctly agreed.

"We just move forward now," the freshman guard said. "The past is closed."