University of Hawaii Defeats Hawaii Pacific in Exhibition
The Rainbow Warriors secured an 89-60 victory during their exhibition basketball game in Honolulu.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball
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The University of Hawaii basketball team defeated Hawaii Pacific 89-60 in an exhibition matchup at the Stan Sheriff Center. Led by Jaden Matingou, the Rainbow Warriors dominated the floor with a 60.4 percent shooting performance.
Why it matters
This exhibition game serves as a critical preparation period for the University of Hawaii before they begin their official season schedule. The performance allows the coaching staff to evaluate their roster and team chemistry against competitive opposition.
Jaden Matingou led the team with 19 points, while Nemanja Sarenac scored 18 for Hawaii Pacific. The University of Hawaii also maintained a 58.3% shooting accuracy from the 3-point line during the match.
The players
Jaden Matingou
A 6-foot-3 player for the University of Hawaii who contributed 19 points during the exhibition game.
Tanner Cuff
A University of Hawaii player whose early 3-pointer helped establish the team's momentum.
Nemanja Sarenac
A top offensive contributor for Hawaii Pacific who scored 18 points in the matchup.
The details
After Tanner Cuff hit a 3-pointer five minutes into the game, the University of Hawaii maintained a lead throughout the contest. A decisive 20-0 scoring run in the second half solidified the win for the Rainbow Warriors, who utilized 10 different players during the game.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: The exhibition game occurred at Bankoh Arena.
November 2, 2026: The University of Hawaii faces Seattle in their official season-opener.
Season Trajectory
This decisive exhibition win sets an early tone for the Rainbow Warriors as they prepare to face off against Mountain West competition throughout the coming season. The victory provides the team with necessary momentum to shift their standing beyond the initial Mountain West preseason poll.
The 20-0 second-half scoring run indicates a high ceiling for the team's offensive efficiency in future rotations. With 10 players seeing active minutes, the depth chart remains dynamic heading into the regular season opener.
The takeaway
The team demonstrated high efficiency by shooting over 60 percent from the field in their preseason outing. Fans should monitor the rotation development as the coaching staff prepares for more challenging matchups in the upcoming regular season.
What happens next
The University of Hawaii is scheduled to play Seattle in their official season-opener on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current outlook of the local program, visit the Basketball page.
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