Rainbow Warriors Top San Diego To Claim Acrisure Invitational Title
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai’i at Manoa Rainbow Warriors men’s basketball team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 77-69 to win the Acrisure Invitational championship on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Rainbow Warriors were led by junior guard Noah Allen, who scored 20 points, including four three-pointers. Senior forward Kamaka Hepa added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Juan Nunesser had 15 points.
The Aztecs were led by senior guard Matt Bradley, who scored 18 points. Senior forward Chad Baker-Mazara added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rainbow Warriors controlled the game from the start, leading by as many as 17 points in the first half. San Diego State cut the lead to 42-36 at halftime, but Hawai’i responded with a 10-2 run to start the second half.
The Aztecs made a late push, cutting the lead to 68-63 with 3:17 remaining in the game. But the Rainbow Warriors made their free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
The win was the Rainbow Warriors’ first win over San Diego State since 2019. It was also their first tournament championship since winning the Diamond Head Classic in 2016.
Here are some key takeaways from the game:
- The Rainbow Warriors were able to control the tempo of the game and limit San Diego State’s transition opportunities.
- Hawai’i shot well from three-point range, making 10 of 26 attempts.
- The Rainbow Warriors were outrebounded by San Diego State 44-38, but they were able to make up for it with their rebounding and defense.
Overall, the Rainbow Warriors played a very well-rounded game to defeat San Diego State and win the Acrisure Invitational championship. The win will give them a lot of momentum heading into the rest of the season.
In addition to the article, I would also like to include the following statistics:
- Hawai’i: 77 points, 42.0% field goal shooting, 40.0% three-point shooting, 76.9% free throw shooting, 38 rebounds, 17 assists, 7 turnovers
- San Diego State: 69 points, 38.5% field goal shooting, 26.7% three-point shooting, 66.7% free throw shooting, 44 rebounds, 13 assists, 12 turnovers