Box Score

Postgame Interview with Ron Cottrell (video)

HONOLULU – Houston Baptist senior forward Art Bernardi had a game-high 22 points to go with eight rebounds, but Hawai'i held off the Huskies, 73-60, in the finale of the Rainbow Classic Tuesday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The game was shown live on ESPN as part of the network's “College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon,” marking the first national television appearance by any HBU athletic program.
 
Bernardi shot 10-of-20 from the field. Sophomore guard Tyler Russell went 6-of-11 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, for the Huskies (2-1).
 
Vander Joaquim shot 8-of-13 from the field and had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Hawai'i (3-0). Christian Standhardinger also had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Spearman had 15 points, while Hauns Brereton had 11  points and six rebounds.
 
Hawai'i shot 48 percent from the field for the game, but made only 2-of-13 from 3-point ranger. The Rainbow Warriors, went 17-of-24 from the free throw line. HBU shot 38 percent from the field, but only 3-of-15 from behind the arc. The Huskies went 7-of-11 from the line. Hawai'i outrebounded HBU, 41-34.
 
After HBU tied it at 6-6 on a jumper by Bernardi, Hawai'i went on a 10-0 run, which included six-straight points by Spearman. The Huskies scored four in a row, but the Rainbow Warriors answered with the next six to take a 12-point lead. A three-point play by Joaquim put Hawai'i ahead, 29-14, with 4:25 left. The Rainbow Warriors led by as many as 18 in the half, but Russell nailed a three with 40 seconds left to cut the Huskies' deficit to 38-23 heading into halftime.
 
Hawai'i extended its lead to 20 and led 55-35, but the Huskies went on an 8-0 run as Russell knocked down a another three, freshman guard James Harper got free for a fastbreak layup and junior guard Jonathan Evans drilled a three from the corner to get the Huskies back within 12.
 
Leading 57-45, the Rainbow Warriors scored nine-straight points to take their largest lead of the game at 21 with 6:30 remaining. With the score 68-48 with 4:10 left, the Huskies outscored the Rainbow Warriors 12-3, including six-straight by Bernardi, to trail 71-60 with 38 seconds on the clock.
 
Bernardi and senior guard Marcus Davis made the all-tournament team.
 
The Huskies return to action when they host Dallas Christian in the home opener Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Sharp Gym.