Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Aim for Back-to-Back Wins in 2024 Rainbow Classic

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are gearing up for their next challenge in the 2024 Rainbow Classic, following a strong start to their season. On Sunday, November 10, Hawaii faced the San Jose State Spartans at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI, and emerged victorious with a 96-61 win over Life Pacific in their season opener the previous night.

In their game against San Jose State, Hawaii’s sophomore forward Akira Jacobs led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Kody Williams and senior forward Gytis Nemeiksa each contributed 14 points, with Williams adding three assists and Nemeiksa grabbing nine rebounds. The team’s performance was highlighted by their efficient shooting, making 57.8% of their field goals and 35.7% of their three-pointers.

Hawaii is looking to build on their successful 2023-24 campaign, where they finished 20-14 overall and 11-9 in conference play. However, the team has undergone significant changes, losing their top five scorers from the previous season. Despite this, the new roster has shown promising signs, with Jacobs and Williams stepping up as key contributors.

The Rainbow Warriors will next face the Pacific Tigers on Monday night, marking the final game of the 2024 Rainbow Classic. This matchup will be a test for both teams, given their recent roster changes and the demanding schedule of playing three consecutive days. Hawaii will look to leverage their home advantage and recent form to secure another win).

Pacific, under new head coach Dave Smart, has also shown improvement, particularly with the addition of transfer Lamar Washington from Texas Tech. Washington has averaged 10.5 points, 12.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds through his first two games with the Tigers. The game is expected to be fast-paced, with Pacific aiming to force Hawaii into a high-transition game).