Putting business before pleasure even on the biggest holiday of the year, Hawai’i fought through Yuletide distractions and a tough challenge from visiting Rhode Island before holding off the Rams, 68-60, for fifth place in the 10th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.
A sparse-but-spirited Christmas morning crowd of about 2,200 watched Zigmars Raimo score a career-high 19 points and grab six rebounds, and Drew Buggs add 12 points and eight boards as the Warriors improved to 8-5 with their second straight victory. Brocke Stepteau and Eddie Stansbery each contributed 11 points, with Stansberry scoring all of his 11 in the second half.