North Texas came out of the gates with a purpose and kept it going the whole way in a 68-51 rout of host Hawaii for the Outrigger Rainbow Classic basketball championship today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Mean Green (4-0) of Conference USA scored the game’s first seven points, led 17-4, and held a 35-17 halftime lead. UH (2-1) was held to 20.8 percent shooting 5-for-24 in the period en route to its first loss of the season.

The margin only got worse from there as UNT, the defending champion of the CBI pay-to-play postseason tournament, turned to its considerable athleticism advantage to push the lead to as many as 25 points before the Rainbow Warriors narrowed the gap to 17 late.

UH’s point output was its lowest since scoring 45 in a loss to Illinois State in the 2016 Diamond Head Classic first round.

The Rainbows shot 36.5 percent overall and committed 17 turnovers a day after blowing out Division II Humboldt State 90-54.

UNT guard Ryan Woolridge was named tournament MVP after scoring 12 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dealing six assists to cap a 3-0 island stay. Jahmiah Simmons and Jorden Duffy added 13 apiece.

UH was led by forward Zigmars Raimo, who scored 14 and grabbed seven rebounds. Forward Jack Purchase scored 10 points. The two were named to the all-tournament team.

The Rainbows resume play next Sunday against Northern Arizona.