Bigger ‘Bows dominate

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks had no chance of bracket-busting Hawaii’s tallest trees.

On "Star Wars Night," "Darth Vander" Joaquim was a force from all over the court, and the Rainbow Warriors rolled to their most lopsided win of the season, 84-50, behind their big men on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Joaquim had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Christian Standhardinger added 21 points and nine boards and Isaac Fotu returned to the starting lineup with 10 points as UH posted advantages of 32-8 on points in the paint and 47-32 in rebounding.

UH (16-11) rebounded from two road losses in Big West play — the latter of which included a severe ankle injury to starting shooting guard Brandon Spearman — and treated this final BracketBusters nonconference game as a late-season launch pad.

The Rainbow Warriors blasted off with makes on their first eight shots for a sizable early lead, then shot down the undersized ‘Jacks (10-17) of the Big Sky Conference to match last season’s win total.

Three Big West Conference regular-season games remain, starting Thursday at home against UC Santa Barbara.

"It was big. We needed this win," Joaquim said. "We came from a tough loss from the road. We needed to win. We had a good week of practice, and we just came out here and performed tonight."

A crowd of about 5,500 — including another rollicking student section — had plenty to cheer about between UH’s dominance and the "Star Wars" theatrics, which included special team introductions, costumed characters and glowing lightsabers in the stands.

UH’s hoops rehearsals in practice this week paid dividends.

"We had our best week of practice of the year, and it showed in the game," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "This is the time where you really gotta start coming together as a team."

The Force was strong with Hawaii. UH shot 66.7 percent (18-for-27) in an otherworldly first half, and 49.2 percent for the game. Joaquim capped off the period by dribbling upcourt himself and launching a contested shot from 30 feet. All net.

The 17-point halftime lead grew swiftly after the break. Arnold challenged his team at halftime to apply the defensive clamps, and the ‘Bows obliged. NAU shot 5-for-29 (17.2 percent) in the second half and 28.1 percent for the game. UH had a season-high eight blocks, helping set a new season opponent low in points.

UH might miss Spearman’s all-around perimeter play in upcoming games, but there was more than enough firepower to go around. Senior wing Hauns Brereton had 13 points, including 3-for-5 on 3-point makes. Point guard Jace Tavita had eight assists against one turnover as UH had only nine giveaways for the game.

"(Spearman) is usually our defensive guy out there in that starting five," Tavita said. "Everyone was just being real aggressive and bringing that energy that’s usually out there with him."

The Lumberjacks were simply outclassed, especially without starting point guard Stallon Saldivar, who was out with an ankle injury. Saldivar had the program’s first triple-double on Feb. 9.

NAU made four of its first eight 3-pointers but just one of 13 after that.

"It’s one of the better teams that we’ve played throughout the season," ‘Jacks coach Jack Murphy said. "They’re very skilled and very well-coached. Tonight was the first game we started off in a zone, and they got us out of that very quickly.

"When we tried to play them man, their inside presence was just too much."

UH was sent on the road to play at another Big Sky team, Montana, last season, and was routed 94-79. Montana went on to win the league. NAU is currently fighting for seventh place.

ESPN, the BracketBusters organizer, previously announced this season’s 11th running of the event would be the last. UH improved to 5-6 in BracketBusters games, including 2-3 at home.