LIHUE — A sellout crowd of more than 800 people packed the Kauai High School gym to watch a unique treat on the island — a visit from the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team. The Rainbow Warriors did not
LIHUE — A sellout crowd of more than 800 people packed the Kauai High School gym to watch a unique treat on the island — a visit from the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team.
The Rainbow Warriors did not disappoint as it went on defeat Chaminade University 94-84 in a high-scoring shootout.
“A great night. I loved the crowd,” said Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold. “We are the University of Hawaii. We do represent this entire state and that’s all of the islands.
“[Playing on Kauai was] fun for our guys and it’s fun for the fans, too.”
Warriors senior forward Christian Standhardinger had a stellar night with 31 points, 20 of which came during the second half.
Sophomore forward Issac Fotu was second in scoring for Hawaii with 18 points.
“[The guards] did an amazing job finding us inside,” Standhardinger said.
Hawaii’s offense was effective in the key, scoring 32 points in the paint.
“That was our advantage,” Arnold said. “[We wanted to] pound it inside, get them into foul trouble and win this sucker at the line.”
Hawaii was stunned initially when Chaminade opened the game with a 16-4 run.
Freshman guard Kiran Shastri led the way with 14 points in the first half including four three-pointers.
He finished his night as Chaminade’s leading scorer with 25 points.
“We got out to a good lead. We started off pretty hot,” Shastri said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t keep it, but our start was really nice.”
Arnold said his team’s struggles during the opening minutes were unexpected.
“We had to weather the storm,” Arnold said.
“Those first 10 minutes weren’t really indicative of who we are. We’re a better team than that.”
The Warriors’ turnaround was sparked with an alley-oop dunk from sophomore guard Quincy Smith, the assist coming from junior guard Keith Shamburger.
The crowd erupted with cheers as Smith slammed down the lob pass.
“We just wanted to come out here and give them all we had,” Shamburger said. “I know they don’t get to see us play a lot, but they got to see us play tonight.”
Despite the early deficit, Hawaii managed to end the half tied at 42.
Both teams’ offenses battled back and forth at the beginning of the second half, but Hawaii eventually built a lead as big as 11 during the later stages of the game.
“After the first half, we buckled down and made sure they weren’t comfortable,” said Hawaii junior guard Garrett Nevels. “That’s what we did. I think that’s why they missed a lot in the second half.”
It seemed both teams were in foul trouble since the beginning.
Hawaii and Chaminade committed 13 and 16 personal fouls, respectively, during the first half.
Both teams combined for 59 fouls by the end of the game.
Standhardinger made 16 of 22 free throws to help Hawaii secure a victory.
“Getting into foul trouble, calling some of the touch fouls, definitely impacted the game,” said Chaminade head coach Eric Bovaird.
“I felt the refs were calling it both ways. It wasn’t the refs’ fault. Players have to be able to adjust to how the refs are calling.”
Chaminade junior guard Lee Bailey led the game in assists with seven.
Hawaii senior center Davis Rozitis was the game’s leading blocker with four.
The Rainbow Warriors will see action next at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic against Boise State in the opening round Dec. 22.
Chaminade’s next game will be at home in Honolulu against Northwood University on Dec. 19.
