HONOLULU — Ignited  by veteran point guard Juan Munoz, the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team put on an offensive display in a 95-76 win over Central Arkansas Sunday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Munoz poured in 19 points with all but two of them coming in the first half, to help the Rainbow Warriors (6-1) bounce back from their first loss of the season and  kick off a seven-game homestand in style.

UH’s drilled a season high 14 three-pointers to power its highest point total of the year. Munoz set the tone by burying all five of his three-point attempts in the first half to help the ‘Bows turn back a feisty UCA squad (1-9). 

Noel Coleman also had a hot-hand scoring 25 points – his third 20-point performance of the year – while draining four of seven three-pointers. Bernardo da Silva posted his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Justin McKoy chipped in 11 points. 

UH scored the first five points of the game, but after UCA missed its first two shots the Bears suddenly got red-hot. UCA nailed nine of its next 10 attempts, including four three-pointers, to take a 22-15 lead before a stunned SSC crowd. 

Enter Munoz, who led a second unit that got UH not only back in the game, but up by double-digits at the break. Munoz scored 17 first-half points on flawless shooting (5-of-5 threes, 2-of-2 free throws) while adding three spectacular assists in energizing the team and the crowd. 

Following JoVon McClanahan’s buzzer-beating desperation heave while falling out of bounds, the ‘Bows led 54-43 at the break. UH hit 61 percent of its shots in the first half, while going a sizzling 9-of-16 on three-pointers. 

UH kept its foot on the pedal in the second half while ramping up its defense. UCA made just three of its first 12 attempts after the break as the Bears ultimately shot just 33 percent in the second half. UH built its lead to as many as 23 points and cruised to its fourth home win of the year.

The Rainbow Warriors continue their homestand next Sunday, Dec. 10 with a meeting against Hawaii Pacific. Tipoff is 5:00 p.m.

 

#HawaiiMBB

Source link