Jack Purchase and company haven’t been able to buy a 3-point basket. Hawaii hopes that changes tonight against a Division II guest, out-of-state Adams State.

Three-hundred forty-eight. That’s where UH ranks among 351 Division I teams in 3-point accuracy (23.6 percent) after Friday night’s 13-point home loss to Nevada, the first of the season. The Rainbow Warriors (3-1), who count on the threat of outside shooting for spacing their four-out offense, are 344th in 3s per game, at a paltry 4.3.

“I really don’t know what’s going on,” said Purchase, UH’s most respected marksman, who is 4-for-20 (20 percent) from long range. “I haven’t shot it this bad before. I gotta shoot my way out of it and stay positive … it’s probably more of a mental thing than anything right now.”

Combined with a 310 rank in free-throw shooting (63.2 percent), UH has plenty offensively to work on tonight. UH coach Eran Ganot called the effort on that end “stagnant” but has been pleased with his team’s defense (41 percent shooting allowed) and rebounding (plus-6.7).

“For us to make the next step, we have to create that balance with our offense, an inside-out attack and ability to spread the floor,” Ganot said. “(And) we can’t be relying on one guy to shoot it well for us, like Jack. So, Jack’s going to be fine. Jack’s a great shooter. We know that. We’re still as confident as ever in him.”

Point guard Drew Buggs hit his first career 3 against the Wolf Pack. The first four games have been a bumpy ride for the freshman, who’s given way to veteran Brocke Stepteau for key stretches.

“Just trying to use each game and learn and try to cut down on my turnovers,” Buggs said. “Just get more comfortable offensively, whether it’s getting guys better looks and better shots, or even just making my own shots. I haven’t been shooting too well so far but I just know it’ll come if I keep working hard and if we keep working hard as a team and trusting in each other and in ourselves.”

Stepteau and Sheriff Drammeh could be in line for increased roles at the start of games. They’ve consistently been on the floor at the finish.

Shooting like it has, UH probably can get past an opponent like Adams State, of Alamosa, Colo., in the first of two D-II games on the ’Bows’ schedule. But it was sure problematic on Friday, when the offense ground to a halt with 3-for-16 long-range shooting in the 67-54 loss to Nevada.

Adams State (2-4) made the trip out here for Hawaii Pacific’s Hoops in Hawaii Thanksgiving Classic last weekend, and agreed to an unspecified amount of guarantee money to add the UH game. The Grizzlies went 2-0 in HPU’s tourney, edging Cal State Dominguez Hills 83-82 on Shane Johnson’s fast-break layup, and the Sharks 82-80 with Brandon Sly’s triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) at Moanalua High School.

Johnson scored 26 points on 6-for-6 3-point shooting in the latter. He and Sly have combined for 38.3 points per game.

Grizzlies coach Russ Caton can call upon Division I size; four frontcourt players range between 6-8 and 6-10. The Grizzlies also can play fast.

“D-IIs aren’t supposed to beat D-Is, so we’re just trying to get some good game experience out of it,” Caton said. “I’d like to try to play a few more guys, give them an opportunity to prove themselves a little more. But we want to compete, for sure. We definitely don’t go in thinking we’re going to lay down.”