After watching a 22-point first-half lead dwindle down to one point in the game’s final minute, Hawai’i held off North Dakota, 81-78, Sunday night in the 53rd Annual Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.
A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 5,764 (tickets issued) watched Mike Thomas scored a career-high 29 points with 11 rebounds, Leland Green add 18 points and Brocke Stepteau contribute 10 points and five assists off the bench as the Warriors improved to 2-0 heading into Monday’s 7 p.m. tournament finale against Troy (1-1).
“Winning games is hard,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “Right now I’m ecstatic for our team, that’s how I feel … you gotta enjoy these moments.