UH routs Chaminade at Blaisdell Center
With a massive first-half run, Aaron Valdes and Hawaii coasted to a 94-63 victory in their latest meeting with Division II neighbor Chaminade, this time at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center on Friday night.
UH erased an early five-point deficit and then some with a 30-4 run, draining most of the drama out of it by halftime, when the Rainbow Warriors led 55-32. The teams traded baskets and turnovers in the second half before a crowd of 927, which filled most of the Blaisdell lower bowl.
It was the first game for UH at its former home since 1994. That year, the on-campus Stan Sheriff Center opened.
Chaminade beat Hawaii at the Blaisdell in December 1982, but there would be no real threat of a repeat as UH rung up a season high in points and had six players score in double figures. UH won the rebounding battle 56-34.
Valdes had 19 in the first half and finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and three emphatic blocks.
Point guard Roderick Bobbitt had 15 points, a career-best 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
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Sophomore center Stefan Jovanovic came off the bench to wrangle his first career double-double by halftime. He finished with 12 points and 13 boards.
Freshman Isaac Fleming started in place of swingman Negus Webster-Chan, who was held out as he recovers from a sprained right ankle. Fleming scored 13.
Shooting guard Garrett Nevels and forward Mike Thomas scored 11 points apiece.
Chaminade’s primary playmaker, point guard Lee Bailey, was held to six points and one assist and committed five turnovers. Kevin Hu scored 12 points to lead the Silverswords.
Missouri transfer Stefan Jankovic, who is redshirting the fall semester, was still ineligible to play for UH. UH hopes to have him available for Monday’s opener of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic vs. Nebraska.
Merv Lopes, who coached Chaminade to wins over UH then top-ranked Virginia at the Blaisdell in December of 1982, attended the game.