HONOLULU — The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors showcased their prowess on Saturday night, defeating the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders with a commanding score of 71-62, marking their 6th win of the season. The arena was filled with 3,001 fans eager to witness the home team shine.
At the forefront of Hawaii's victory was senior wing Ryan Rapp, who finished the game with career-high 19 points. Coming off the bench, Rapp displayed remarkable accuracy, hitting 7 of 8 shots from the field, including all five of his three-point attempts. His performance came at a pivotal moment, as he was instrumental during Hawaii's 18-2 run bridging the first and second halves, transforming what was once an eight-point deficit to a nine-point lead.
"I was just trying to help the guys win," Rapp said after the game, reflecting on his significant contribution. This sentiment resonates with his team-first attitude, as he added, "It doesn’t matter if I score five points or 20 points. At the end of the day, itcomes down to winning."
Other notable performances included guard Marcus Greene, who contributed 15 points with perfect shooting from the free-throw line, and Gytis Nemeiksa who added another 14 points, ensuring Hawaii maintained its offensive aggression against the Islanders. Center Tanner Christensen, who faced difficulties from the free-throw line (0-for-5), made his presence felt with eight points from the field.
The Rainbow Warriors improved their overall record to 6-3 with this win as they head toward the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, scheduled to begin on December 22 against Charlotte. Rapp, with memories of past victories, expressed anticipation for the upcoming tournament, saying, "Our expectation is to win it."
Coach Eran Ganot praised his team for their resilience and adjustments made during the game, especially after struggling with turnovers earlier this season. "We do think he’s [Rapp] grown up with the game, who can shootbetter than he has shot it, and you saw the potential today," Ganot commented on Rapp's performance. He also highlighted the importance of controlling turnovers against teams like the Islanders, who had capitalized on turnovers during previous games.
Entering halftime tied at 28, Hawaii addressed their ball-handling woes, coming out strong with Kody Williams hitting the first three-pointer of the second half just 34 seconds after the break, which helped shift momentum significantly. The Rainbow Warriors surged to lead for good, outscoring their opponent right out of the gate after the half.
Yet the victory wasn’t without its challenges. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, led by Garry Clark and Shilo Jackson, who both scored 11 points each, was relentless. They made attempts to close the gap, including scoring runs of their own. Clark's aggressive play was noticeable on both ends, even earning him his fourth foul.
Despite momentary lapses, Hawaii managed to maintain their composure. Key shots from Greene and Rapp late in the game helped create distance, leading to Jim Shaw, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi coach, receiving a technical foul for protesting officiated calls, which only exacerbated their struggles.
Ganot’s insights on his team's mental fortitude were apparent as they weathered the Islanders' pressure, especially with Rapp continuing to contribute not just through scoring but through playmaking – aiding Christensen on multiple transitions and ensuring ball movement kept the Islanders perpetually on their heels.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's defense applied relentless pressure, but the Warriors adapted effectively during the second half, committing only six turnovers compared to 10 in the first half. This shift proved beneficial, allowing Hawaii to extend its lead as the game progressed.
Turning the tide for Hawaii came with Rapp's four three-pointers, especially following the technical foul on Shaw, where Greene capitalized with two free throws, and Rapp quickly followed up with another three, pushing Hawaii to their largest lead of the night by 11 points.
"We put some pressure on them but they had a level of toughness and you’ve gotta give credit to their guards," stated Shaw, reflecting on the resilience of the Rainbow Warriors. His team maintained efforts to draw back closer after being down, but timely plays from Hawaii thwarted those attempts consistently.
Additional contributions came from Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, whose solid minutes during the first half helped the team cope with the Islanders' ball pressure. Hawaii recorded 36 rebounds overall, proving dominant on the glass compared to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s 25, showcasing their commitment to both ends of the floor.
With this victory under their belts, Hawaii sets its sight on the upcoming Diamond Head Classic, aiming to build momentum after such strong performances against the Islanders. The anticipation is high within the squad as they forge on, pushing toward the next round of competition and chasing glory on their home turf.
