HONOLULU — Christian Standhardinger scored 29 points, 20 in the second half, and Garrett Nevels added 21 as Hawaii turned back Norfolk State 77-66 on Monday.
The Rainbow Warriors (10-3), who have won eight of their last nine games, made 20 of 28 free throws, including 12 of 14 by Standhardinger. Nevels knocked down 4 of 5 3-pointers and matched Standhardinger’s eight rebounds.
The Spartans (8-6) got 16 points apiece from Malcolm Hawkins and Pendarvis Williams. They led 28-27 at the half but couldn’t keep Hawaii off the boards and the foul line. The Rainbow Warriors had a 15-8 rebounding advantage in the second half.
Norfolk was leading 32-30 when Hawaii put together a nine-point surge starting with 3’s from Nevels and Brandon Spearman. A Spearman basket and another Nevel’s 3 pushed the lead to 10 with 12:38 to play. Then Standhardinger took over, scoring 18 points in the last 11:23.
Spearman was named Big West player of the week after making the all-tournament team at the Diamond Head Classic, conference officials announced Monday.
Spearman averaged 14.3 points per game and 6 rebounds per game in three games at the tournament, helping Hawaii to wins over Saint Mary’s and Oregon State.