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Hawaii’s final BracketBusters game was a rout of epic proportions as the Rainbow Warriors defeated Northern Arizona 84-50 tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A crowd of about 5,500 watched as the Rainbow Warriors made their first eight shots and never looked back after a 17-point halftime lead. UH (16-11) shot 49.2 percent for the game in matching its win total from last season.
It was UH’s biggest margin of victory and lowest point total for a UH opponent this season.
NAU of the Big Sky Conference dropped to 10-17.
UH showed no let-up in its first game without injured starting shooting guard Brandon Spearman.
Senior center Vander Joaquim had his 10th double-double of the season — and 30th career — with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Junior forward Christian Standhardinger had 21 points and nine rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting. Senior Hauns Brereton added 13 points and Isaac Fotu 10. Point guard Jace Tavita had eight assists.
NAU was held to 28.1 percent shooting, including 17.2 percent (5-for-29) in the second half.
The Rainbow Warriors won the rebounding batle 47-32 and blocked a season-high eight shots.
UH sizzled in the first half, shooting 66.7 percent, capped off by Joaquim’s 30-foot swish at the halftime buzzer.
Joaquim surpassed Matt Gibson for 10th on the UH career scoring list at 1,138 points.
