The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team took care of its Manhattan project Friday night, defeating the visiting Jaspers, 76-56, in the second round of the Outrigger Rainbow Classic.
An announced crowd of 4,296 (tickets issued) in BankOh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center watched graduate transfer Isaac Johnson record game-highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds and Isaac Finlinson add 14 points and seven boards to help the Warriors improve to 3-1. Anthony Isaac scored 17 points to lead Manhattan, which fell to 2-2.
UH led 38-24 at halftime, making it three straight games taking a double-digit lead into the break. All three victories have been by at least 20 points.
The Warriors will face Utah Tech (3-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday with a chance to win its second straight Rainbow Classic championship. The game will be televised live statewide on Spectrum Sports Channel 12 and broadcast live via radio on ESPN 1420AM.
The Trailblazers are coming off an 81-75 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Friday. Forward Ethan Potter led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds, and guard Madiba Owona added 16 points and six boards. Utah Tech lost to Manhattan, 79-75, in Wednesday’s tournament opener.
More details to come.