The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team clinched the Outrigger Rainbow Classic championship with a solid 76-66 win over the University of the Pacific. The victory last night marked the program’s first since 2017, and it’s 16th overall in the tournament’s 58-year-long history, playing before a modest Veterans Day crowd, as reported by
Spectrum News
.
Although the team struggled from the 3-point line, shooting 3-for-17, bench strength played a pivotal role in the outcome. Marcus Greene and Gytis Nemeiksa each contributed 18 points, while Tanner Christensen earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player title, delivering 14 points and seven rebounds in the final game. This performance followed their Sunday win against San Jose State, where, despite issues with ball handling, they managed to secure the victory by navigating crunch time carefully.
According to a statement obtained by
KHON2
, Nemeiksa also racked up a double-double, adding 10 rebounds on top of his score tally for the Rainbow Warriors, contributing to their substantial bench point lead over Pacific, which ultimately became a significant factor in securing their win.
Coach Eran Ganot praised his team’s growing capabilities and adaptability, “We’re growing. Sometimes there’s no simulator better than live reps,” while emphasizing the collective effort and the depth of the team. He highlighted how they triumphed over challenges such as injuries and foul trouble during the tournament, with players stepping up when others couldn’t contribute, like Ryan Rapp, who was sidelined with a hand injury, or others who found themselves in foul trouble, or perhaps had a day where they missed some shots, as per the
Spectrum News
report.
The Rainbow Warriors will look to extend their winning streak in their next game against Weber State on Sunday at 5 p.m., as the Pacific Tigers, now standing at a 3-1 record, reflect on missed opportunities and their shooting performance, which saw them hitting just 37.7% from the field compared to Hawaii’s 48.1%.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply