HONOLULU — Aaron Valdez had 28 points and nine rebounds on Friday night in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic, and Hawaii ran away from Arkansas-Pine Bluff for an 85-57 win in the season opener for both teams.
Hawaii led 33-32 at halftime before Valdez scored 11 points in the first five minutes of the second to edge the Warriors ahead 49-37.
The Warriors continued to roll, scoring 21 straight points, leading by as much as 30 and shooting 20 of 34 in the second half.
Valdez finished 11 of 15 from the floor and 2 of 3 from 3-point range. Negus Webster-Chan added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Garrett Nevels and Roderick Bobbitt added 11 apiece.
Marcel Mosley led the Golden Lions with 18 points. Jovaughn Love had 15 points and Ghiavonni Robinson added 11.
Hawaii coach Benjy Taylor won his debut after being named the acting head coach on Oct. 31.
High Point 100, Cal State Bakersfield 99, 4OT
Tarique Thompson made a lay-in with 2 seconds left in the fourth overtime and Devone Wallace scored 23 of his career-high 34 points in the overtimes to give High Point a win over CS Bakersfield.
Hawaii took on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the late game.
CS Bakersfield’s Javonte Maynor made a 3-pointer with 52 seconds left in the fourth OT to make the score 97-95. Two free throws by Haiishen McIntrye with 9 seconds left pulled High Point within 99-98 before Thompson made a steal and layup for the win.
Aly Ahmed led the Roadrunners with 26 points, Tyrell Corbin added 20, and Kevin Mays chipped in 17 rebounds.
Thompson scored 17 points and Brian Richards came off the bench to add 16 for High Point.
K.J. James made a jumper at the first overtime buzzer for High Point and Wallace had a 3 with 11 seconds to go to tie the game in the third OT.