The Hawaii women’s basketball team led off Saturday’s exhibition doubleheader in Upcountry Maui with a 42-point drubbing of Chaminade on the hardwood of the island’s Kamehameha campus.

Then it was the UH men’s turn to face the Silverswords. It was not quite as convincing a performance.

UH struggled against Chaminade’s game-long full-court pressure and committed a whopping 29 turnovers. It gave up a 12-point lead in the second half and trailed in the final 10 minutes, but did just enough to win, 85-80, thanks in part to newcomer Marcus Greene, who scored 10 of his 16 points in the final 11 minutes.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hawaii men's basketball team eked out an 85-80 win over Division II neighbor Chaminade on Maui as part of a doubleheader put on by the Hawaii Tourism Authority at Kamehameha-Maui's campus

  • The Rainbow Warriors committed a whopping 29 turnovers against the Silverswords' fullcourt ball pressure, but were able to leverage enough of an advantage in the paint to come out on top

  • Forward Akira Jacobs scored 20 points to lead UH, while Marcus Greene, a transfer from Houston Christian, added 16 points, including 10 in the last 11 minutes

  • In the first game of the doubleheader, the Rainbow Wahine basketball team routed the Chaminade women, 73-31, as 11 UH players scored

Forward Akira Jacobs supplied 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting and center Tanner Christensen had his second double-double in as many preseason games, 13 points and 17 rebounds.

But it was in the second time in a week that the Rainbow Warriors narrowly escaped a preseason game against one of their Division II neighbors. UH had 25 turnovers in a three-point win at Hawaii Hilo last week; they had 54 giveaways in the two games that don't officially count.

“Give Chaminade a lot of credit. Once again the pressure bothered us,” Ganot told Spectrum News in a message. “We were fortunate to overcome ridiculous turnovers, foul trouble, and missed block outs.

“As with the previous game, we executed well when it got close towards the end,” he added. “We have to clean up a lot of mistakes.”

UH’s starting lineup was the same from the Hilo game, with the exception of power forward as Gytis Nemeiksa started over Harry Rouhliadeff. But the Xavier transfer Nemeiksa picked up early fouls and played only nine minutes.

Sophomore Tom Beattie got the nod at point guard but struggled with ball control with seven turnovers against one assist, though he scored 13 points.

Chaminade had a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers but UH countered on the glass, where it held a 53-36 advantage — though offensive boards were basically a wash. UH converted 51.9% of its shots to CUH’s 32.5%.

When they were able to advance the ball into the halfcourt, the Rainbows were able to leverage their size on a team that topped out at 6 feet 8. They more than doubled up the Silverswords in paint points, 40-18.

Silverswords coach Eric Bovaird told Spectrum News that the pressing style with multiple formations was what his team hopes to accomplish all year as part of its identity, and not something specific to use against the Rainbow Warriors.

"I was thankful for the opportunity to play against a good D-I team. I thought our guys were really up for it," Bovaird said. "I thought our defense was really, really good. Guys are learning how to play with each other, finally, instead of against each other nonstop.

"I feel like we can have the personnel that can finally do it (press)."

UH guard Ryan Rapp was out for both exhibitions. This time, point guard Kody Williams was unavailable, too.

Ganot played freshman Aaron Hunkin-Claytor extensively off the bench (29 minutes) and the Wahiawa native had four assists against five turnovers. Walk-on guard Logan Robeson played 17 minutes.

Greene put UH ahead for good with a pair of free throws with 8:40 to play.

“Thought Akira and Tanner were terrific. Logan gave us a lift,” Ganot said. “Kody was unavailable and we expect him back this week.”

UH opens the season Friday against NAIA Life Pacific in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic.

Chaminade, like UH, featured a heavily rebuilt roster; Eric Bovaird’s Silverswords missed out on the PacWest tournament last year.

Amound Anderson led the Silverswords with 19 points on 6-for-18 shooting. Former UH guard Kameron Ng started and scored three points in 22 minutes.

The women’s-men’s doubleheader, plus a keiki clinic, was organized through the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

“Appreciate everyone who worked behind the scenes to allow us to play a game and provide a clinic in Maui,” Ganot said. “The entire community was exceptional in providing us a terrific experience.”

In the women’s game, UH prevailed 73-31 after a slow start. Laura Beeman’s Rainbow Wahine jumped out 20-4 after a quarter and never looked back. Freshman center Ritorya Tamilo was again impressive with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Point guard Lily Wahinekapu added 10 points in 11 minutes, while her sister Jovi Leoftu scored eight and newcomer Kira-May Filemu nine.

Eleven of the 14 Wahine to see action scored.

The Wahine open the regular season at Portland of the West Coast Conference on Thursday.

Note: This story has been updated with comments from Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.